The Prima Bella Experience
Nichola's Story
My husband and I tried to conceive a baby for several years and were told by several doctors that we would never have a child. By the grace of God, we finally did. Our first OB/GYN told us that because I had a uterine tumor, we would probably lose the baby. The following week, after much pushing from friends and family, we got another OB/GYN, and on Christmas Eve she gave us the greatest gift; the first sonogram of our healthy baby and her beautiful heart beat. The baby was thriving, but unfortunately so was the tumor. I had a very painful pregnancy and in my sixth month discovered I had two large tumors forming along with my baby. I was depressed, but determined to have a positive outlook!
One day my mother asked me to go to the Family Expo in Santa Rosa. I knew I needed to get out of the house and finally agreed it would be good for both of us. I wandered around the expo, tired and unimpressed, when suddenly I turned the corner and something beautiful caught my eye and drew me like a magnet. I saw a life sized plaster casting of a pregnant woman lying on her side with her hand on her beautiful belly. As I approached, I saw more of these pregnant sculptures, some just the belly, some breasts and belly, and some a belly with hands. Some were plain and some had incredible paintings on them. Each one was different and gorgeous in its own right.
I was greeted by Francine Krause, one of the warmest and most genuine women I have ever met. I spent at least half an hour at her booth, looking at her pictures, the sculptures, and engaged in conversation with Francine, not realizing at the time how important she would become in our family life. I went in search of my mother as I wanted her to see these incredible sculptures. My mother was as fascinated and impressed with Francine and the sculptures I was.
I brought home the information about the pregnancy sculptures and right away my husband liked the idea of having a Prima Bella sculpture to forever commemorate the birth of our first child. Several months later we had an appointment to have the belly mask done. We went to Francine’s studio in Sebastopol, one of the warmest and most relaxing environments a pregnant woman could possibly go to. We felt welcome and completely at home.
Francine made sure I was entirely comfortable. She even encouraged my husband to join in and help to make the initial molding, which he absolutely loved. Afterward I showered with a wonderful salt scrub that made my skin feel like silk.
One usually receives their sculpture within a few months of the initial casting. Due to complications that resulted in a complete hysterectomy, we weren’t able to connect with Francine until our daughter was about eight months old. Realizing that she would be our only child (with the exception of my fourteen year old son from a previous relationship) we were so happy that we had the sculpture.
Our Prima Bella sculpture is one of our prized possessions and we show it off to everyone who enters our home. We tell anyone who is pregnant or even thinking about having a child about Francine and her sculptures. Francine gave us one of the greatest gifts we have ever received and made a very difficult situation very beautiful. For that, we will be forever thankful to Francine.
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