Visual bonding experience now offered by Babymoon

3D-4D ultrasound offers moms and dads head start on bonding from womb

Now moms and dads-to-be can now see their baby smile, suck their thumb, kick or sleep all from the mother’s womb.

Babymoon Ultrasound, a new 3D-4D ultrasound service, has opened in St. Vital.

The non-medical ultrasound service offers moms peace of mind that their little ones are okay as well as black and white or colour keepsake photos, DVDs or CDs with the sound of the baby’s heartbeat.

“When my friend was pregnant she went to the States to visit her parents. While she was there, she went to Fetal Fotos and experienced this service. She raved about it,” said Babymoon Ultrasound owner Chandra Malegus.

Through her work as a mid-wife, Malegus heard more and more that there was a want and a lack of the service here in Manitoba.

“People were driving to Calgary or Minneapolis for this. They’d go and make a weekend out of it,” said Malegus.

Now there are 3D ultrasound services similar to Babymoon across Canada and the United States.

“But we’re the first in Manitoba and we’re excited. I’m also excited because I’m still working with moms and babies but at a different time. It’s still a miracle,” said Malegus.

The mother of four’s love of the birth process came from seeing at her home a family friend experience the miracle of life when Malegus was just 14 years old.

Malegus says she loves being able to be part of the excitement and joy when expectant couples see their baby for the second time or find out the sex.

In Manitoba, expectant mothers are allowed one ultrasound scan during pregnancy unless there are complications.

Data from the Manitoba Health website showed that the average wait time for an additional ultrasound is anywhere from eight to 19 weeks.

Heidi Graham, spokesperson for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, said that according to health officials a healthy pregnancy is only entitled to one ultrasound scan at the current time. If there are complications, additional ultrasounds are scheduled.

According to the Manitoba Health website, there were more than 135,200 medical ultrasound scans in the province last fiscal year.

So expectant mom Crystal Bergthorson said she can understand why those mothers-to-be who are just curious get very low priority.

“I had an ultrasound at eight weeks (pregnant). I wanted to see the baby just for peace of mind, just so I know she’s healthy,” said Bergthorson, who is now 30 weeks and counting down to the birth date.

While at Babymoon Ultrasound, the Bergthorsons decided to find out the sex of their little one and were overjoyed to hear their two-old son would soon get to meet his little sister.

“The quality (of the ultrasound) is so much better than the hospital...We got to see her. (Our baby) has all her limbs, she was sucking her thumb, she smiled at us, and she stuck her tongue out at us,” said Bergthorson, with a laugh.

“It’s amazing to see her through me.”

Malegus will open her new St. Vital office to the public on Jan. 19, so anyone who is curious can come in, take a look around and ask questions.

“We don’t replace a medical ultrasound. This is purely for bonding and keepsakes...I’m so lucky, I love what I do,” said Malegus.

For more information contact www.babymoonultrasound.com.