Private Boutique Ultrasounds in the Time of COVID

Boutique Ultrasounds
Being pregnant in 2020 was a big shift from the past.  OB doctors went virtual for a good portion of the year.  The number of doctor visits a mom would usually have was scaled back to only the most basic and necessary.  Partners and siblings were told to stay home, or wait in the car for all visits. When the time came to give birth – testing and masks complicated the hectic environment of Labor & Delivery. While I agree with all of the reasoning behind these precautions, the stress of this time was very unpleasant for pregnant mamas and their families. During the worst of this, Wonder Time had to close its doors for 2 and a half months, waiting for local government to determine when we could safely go back.
 
June finally arrived and we had the go ahead to reopen  Wonder Time.  We were back in full swing and busier than ever. I had new clients who may have never considered an elective ultrasound before…but were now desperately looking for a place to see their baby-with their families. I saw many return clients coming in, now on their second (or third!) baby with us!   We created a new ultrasound package (Quick Peek) – specifically for partners that were being left out and unable to come to anatomy scan appointments.
 
I soon saw the need for a new space to meet the demands of all of our clients and families.
 
Moving from a 140 sq ft office to a 2400 sq ft office was an exciting challenge. In our new space, a new, 10% fresh air intake HVAC system gives us more peace of mind about the air quality in our studio. We run multiple TRUE HEPA air filtration units in areas where our customers visit. We expanded our staff considerably and spaced our schedule to allow time for cleaning.
 
Looking ahead to the cold and nasty weather that we have every winter- I realized that families are once again going to be in need of something that we are uniquely positioned to help with.  Drive By events are awesome, but when it’s 35 degrees and raining- not the best option.  But what other option is there? If you have high risk family members, how can you keep them safe and yet still include them in your celebrations? Within our new space, we will be offering small scale parties that can be virtual or hybrid. Gender Reveal Parties and Baby Showers with a full concierge experience- you barely have to lift a finger! 
 
At Wonder Time, you can have an inclusive, boutique, private, elective ultrasound experience. We also offer early gender DNA tests, early ultrasound gender determination, heartbeat bears and animals, gender reveal supplies, prenatal and postnatal massage, and custom 3D printed baby sculptures. Not to mention… some of the best 3D 4D 5D HD ultrasound technology on the market, with skilled, experienced sonographers who love being a part of your pregnancy journey.  Having only been in business since late 2017, we have over 400 5 Star Google Reviews. Maybe that’s because we put comfort, quality and value at the forefront of our business goals.  I would also like to thank all of our clients and friends for their support. Thank you for our tremendous reputation as one of the best elective ultrasound studios in the region.

Have Your Baby Shower at Wonder Time

Baby Showers at Wonder Time
Pregnancy in the year 2020 has been vastly different than years before.  Lockdown, quarantine, masks, virtual doctor’s visits, it’s all been a pain and an inconvenience. I don’t know about you- but I am definitely missing the “good old days” before COVID 19.
 
Here at Wonder Time, we have been brainstorming ways to get you back to some sense of normal, while keeping you as safe as possible. Drive By and outdoor baby showers were all the rage during the warmer months of 2020, but what is going to happen when it’s 40 degrees and raining? You need a virtual/hybrid baby shower option!
 

Here’s the plan for a baby shower with us at Wonder Time:

 
Step 1:  Call 856-553-5138 to book your shower. We will send you an invoice for $50 to hold your spot. We will also send you a digital invitation that can be posted to Facebook, or you can choose to have us send out paper invitations for you (paper invites = additional charge).
 
Give us an idea of how many guests you will bring with you (up to 25) and how many will be joining us virtually.
 

Part of the invitation will include instructions for how people can get their gifts to our venue- either having it shipped directly, or dropping off gifts during business hours. All gifts received will be inventoried and recorded with name and address of the person(s) giving it.

 
Step 2: You arrive on the day of your shower- and everything is ready!  We will use your phone, or our iPad to live stream video (typically Facebook Live) to everyone who can’t be there in person.
 

Here is the typical baby shower flow:

  • We start off with a 15-20 minute HD 3D 4D ultrasound- we will also record baby’s heartbeat and give you a heartbeat bear/animal.
  • After your ultrasound session, we get you settled in your throne in front of our beautifully decorated backdrop. Open your gifts as your guests partake in some light refreshments (cheese and crackers, chips and dip, creme puffs or cupcakes).
  • We give you a thank you card for each gift- already stamped and addressed! Each present will be noted inside the card- just add your own message, sign and send!
  • We help you load up your presents, and you are on your way home!!
 
You can customize our baby shower package to suit your needs. 
 
Don’t want to have that many people indoors? Just bring the amount that you feel comfortable with-even if it’s just you and your partner. Your virtual guests will still be able to enjoy watching the amazing ultrasound session, and seeing you open their gifts – all from the comfort of their own home.

How to Have a Safe & Wonderful Session at Wonder Time

It is so good to be able to reopen! I am looking forward to seeing you and your beautiful babies!
Here are some new guidelines, my Number One goal is to keep you and I safe and healthy.
 
1. Drink plenty of water- you need about 64-84 ounces each day (more if you are very active)
However, you do not need to have a full bladder- only fill your bladder if you are less than 10 weeks pregnant.
 
2. Book your session online, and fill out your registration form. You must have this filled out before you arrive.
 
3. Please try to arrive 5-10 minutes before your appointment time. We will have very limited ability to accommodate lateness. If you arrive late, your appointment time may be cut short to allow for proper sanitizing in between clients.
 
4. When you arrive for your appointment, wait in your vehicle and send a text with your name and appointment time to  (856) 553-5138. We will open the door for you when we are ready for you to enter. We will have hand sanitizer available at the door for your use.
 
5. Five guests are allowed in with you at this time. Guests must be over the age of 5.
 
6. Both you and your guests need to wear masks in the building. I will be wearing one too! Please bring your own masks if possible. We will have disposable masks available as well.
 
7. We encourage you to take a video of your session to share with friends and family.
 
8. Any questions or concerns, please let us know!  Text (856) 553-5138
 
And finally, this should go without saying, but if you are ill, or running a fever, please call us to reschedule.  If I am ill or running a fever- I will be calling you.
 

Why Should I Have A Doula?

Why Should I Have A Doula?

Many women I run into in this profession ask this question.

 

Why do I need you? 

 

What are you going to do for me that my husband can’t? 

 

Understandable.  Most women don’t even know what a Doula is.  So that is where I like to start.

 

What exactly IS a Doula?

A Doula is a non-medical, professional support person.  A Doula supports not only the mother but the entire family during pregnancy, labor and even postpartum.  We are full of helpful information, resources, tips, and knowledge to share with our clients.  We help guide clients to learn about the process of birth, breastfeeding, newborn care and especially her rights during labor.  Every woman has an ideal plan for how they would like to deliver their baby.  No matter what, our job is to make sure that, at the end of the day, the mother is satisfied and happy with her labor experience. 

 

A Doula’s support during pregnancy can span from going to prenatal appointments with the mother to collecting resources in the area for prenatal yoga, prenatal fitness classes or even support groups for single moms.  We do our research and collect all the information for our clients so that they can relax more and enjoy the pregnancy.  Some Doulas do Child Birth Education classes, Breastfeeding classes and Labor Support classes for family members who will attend the birth.  But that is just a small part of a Doulas job.  The physical support comes during the labor process.

 

Labor, Delivery, and the role of the Doula

Labor is my absolute favorite part of being a Doula.  Nothing is more endorphin inducing that helping a woman birth a baby.  I could live off that high for weeks.  The job of a Doula during labor can vary depending on the needs of the family.  Some women wish for the Doula to step back and make sure that the supporting family members are taken care of and other mothers want the Doula to be completely hands-on and in the moment.  The Doula is there to support and help anyone in the delivery room.  This is where I like to tell my personal story of when I delivered my daughter. 

I did not have a doula and it has been one of my biggest regrets.

 

Not having a doula is one of my biggest regrets.My labor was completely uncomplicated.  Knowing what I know now, I probably would have held off a little longer on the epidural, but over all, it was very smooth.  I had my epidural at 4cm and my labor ended up being about 13 hours long.  13 hours, I was not allowed to eat or drink.  I was starving and like a good husband, Jim followed suit and starved himself in fear that he would miss a second of this baby being born.  This was our grave mistake and ultimate undoing.  Little Abigayle was born vaginally and without any complications.  After settling in and our last visitor leaving for the night, Jim went to the house to pick up his work computer and take some medicine for his raging hunger headache.  He didn’t come back.  He passed out at home from fatigue and hunger.  I spent the first night with our baby girl in the hospital alone.

 

A Doula’s work goes beyond just the comfort of the mother, but the family members as well.  If I had a Doula during my labor, my husband would be able to eat and sleep comfortably knowing that he would never miss a second of his daughter’s birth.

 

Labor support also includes positioning the mother, supporting her through contractions, reaffirming her birth plans and advocating for them when they feel unheard.  It all stems around what the mother wants and needs to have a successful and positive birth experience.  That is the goal!

 

Postpartum care and beyond

Doulas and postpartum careOf course, after the baby is born, we don’t leave our clients high and dry.  Postpartum care is an important role in our clients well being and health.  Some Doulas provide postpartum care including housework, baby care and mother care.  All Doulas will follow up with the mother by visiting her at home and going over and concerns she may have about herself, the baby or the delivery.  Postpartum care is important for us to assess if the mother may be having difficulties and need professional help.  We also provide local resources for postpartum fitness, support groups, breastfeeding education and lactation consultants.

 

Most women find that, once they learn what a Doula is, they feel more confident to make the decision on if they want one.  I have never met a woman who regretted the decision to add the extra support to their delivery team, but I have met plenty (including myself) who wished they did.  A Doula is an indispensable amount of knowledge and support during one of the scariest, exciting and most stressful times of a woman’s life.  Only YOU will know if a Doula is the right path to take.  Always remember that your Doula is going to be a huge part of the magical process of bringing your human into this world.  Make sure that you and your Doula are on the same page, share similar values and, for lack of a better term, clique.  After all, your Doula is there for YOU and there to make YOU happy.

 

Caitlyn Rankel

Labor to Love, LLC
(856) 452-1641 | labortolovedoula@gmail.com