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Oh...Baby
Technology Allows Us to See Our Baby...Before
It’s Born.
By Suzon Walton
CN Publisher
Aprenatal ultrasound uses sound waves that are bounced off your baby’s body and internal organs. These sound waves are then changed into a picture that appears on a television screen. This procedure may offer you and your care provider valuable information regarding the health of your baby. The difference between a 2-D image and 3-D image is great. To the untrained eye, a 2-D image of a baby in the womb can look like a black and white movie watched on an upside-down television without cable or rabbit ears. With technology emerging over the past decade, there is a new way to view your baby in the Sacramento area. You can actually view your baby in 3-D and, even more impressive, 4-D (live motion), and of course take home pictures. The same type of sound waves as 2D are used, however the smart computer (GE Voluson 730) transforms the black and white images into a 3-D image and adds coloring for effect.
I visited with Melissa, Carly and Chris Allen of Invision Ultrasounds in Roseville. They were kind enough to open their facility to Connected Now, and my Sales Associate and best friend Katrina Struckmeyer. When I spoke with Chris and Melissa they offered an interview and to have Katrina enjoy the full experience of “love at first sight”.
 Chris and daughter Carly went home after our initial interview, before the ultrasound. They have the cutest little girl, Carly, almost one, who is a lucky little blue-eyed girl. She gets to spend time with Mom and Daddy. Daycare was not an option they wanted to explore, which lead to the decision to open Invision Ultrasound. Dad Chris, a former Special Education instructor, finds himself responsible for two vastly important aspects of the business: handling the promotion and marketing of the company, and Chief Babysitter of Carly. Mom Melissa is the certified Ultrasound Tech that has the fabulous job of looking at babies all day. Giving that first view to many families and determining the sex of the baby to over 99% of her clients who just HAD TO KNOW is a rewarding career change from investment banking.
So how does one go from investment banking to ultrasound technician? Once they had a peak at Carly in the womb and had to travel outside the Sacramento area for 3D and 4D views, Melissa knew that this emerging technology needed to find a home in Roseville, CA, leading to career changes for herself and husband Chris. They also have a partner running their location in Fresno.
 “We offer elective 2D, 3D & 4D prenatal Ultrasounds to provide a positive bonding experience for the mother, father and family members with the unborn baby,” Melissa Said. “We feel that realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family. This does not replace a regular ultrasound and our services are not a diagnostic test.”
At age 37, Katrina and husband Mark are expecting their first baby. Katrina was present at her sister Michelle’s ultrasound three years ago when the ultrasound technician introduced all those present to baby A, baby B and baby C. That ultrasound was only available in a 2-D black and white image.
Katrina is proudly the aunt of triplets and is anxiously expecting the birth of her first child. “It was fantastic to see our baby moving around and yawning!” Mark and Katrina chose not to discover the sex of the baby, although I think it is more Mark’s choice than Katrina’s.
The actual ultrasound exam was very easy and took about
45 minutes. Times vary depending on packages chosen
and the cooperativeness of the baby’s position. Katrina
had some warm clear-blue gel placed on her tummy and
with a magic transducer held by Melissa, the baby’s
image popped up on the three screens. Since they did
not want the sex disclosed, Melissa first took a peak
before turning the screens on for all to see. “Apparently
Melissa is one of only three people who know the sex
of the baby,” Mark said “Our doctor, Melissa and God.”
The baby hid down low and was not cooperating. Katrina was a good sport and even let niece Megan poke her bulbous tummy as Mark tried to convince his kid to come out of hiding. Melissa gave us a tip to entice the baby into viewing: eat and drink right before coming in for the ultrasound. Why? Sugar in the bloodstream makes the baby more active. After Katrina downed a juice box, the baby took the hint and we got several candid shots. It was amazing - the baby actually yawned. Katrina asked, “What does he have to yawn about? I am doing all the work.” She called the baby ‘He’, ‘It’, ‘Grant’, ‘Emma’, ‘Her’ and ‘Stinker’ among other names during the hour that we were at Invision.
Melissa sent Katrina and Mark off with a nice bag of information, coupons, photos and a DVD of their experience. She put pink and blue tissues for color in a clear DVD case in accordance with the secrecy of the baby’s sex. Lupe, Katrina’s mom, will probably be back with some of her famous recipes to lure the girl/boy secret out of Melissa. I think Melissa will be tempted, but also keeps a secret well. I might ask her to join me on my next poker night. The baby book will get one of its first entries as soon as Mom and Dad To Be get home to Arbuckle, where they reside.
Ultrasound packages start at just $90. You can find out many FAQ’s and other information about their services at www.invisionultrasound.com or call Melissa and Chris at 916-773-VIEW (8439). Their office is at 8303 Sierra College Blvd., Suite 109A, in Roseville off Interstate 80.
Present and accounted for at the time of the ultrasound were:
One Ultrasound Technician: Melissa, who was certified by a registered Sonographer.
One expectant mother: Katrina, whose pregnancy was verified by proof of her last sonogram.
One nervous father-to-be: Mark, who was terrified that he might discover the sex of the baby.
One anxious grandmother: Lupe, who wanted desperately to know the sex of the baby.
One supporting sister: Crystal , who wanted to know what color she should use to decorate for the baby shower.
Two excited nieces: Jessica and Megan, one who wished for a boy and one for a girl.
One camera-packing publisher: Me, Suzon, who wanted to know it all....and not to forget sis Michelle, who called twice in the middle of the procedure to find out the status while at home minding her five kids.
For more information, contact Suzon Walton at
Suzon@ConnectedNow.com
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