"Elective ultrasound lets moms and families come in, and just have an opportunity to bond with this new little hope that comes into the world," said Bonnie Cameron, owner of Baby Moments.
Cameron says her company requires that mothers be under prenatal care of a physician and provide proof of that before having an ultrasound. She said the company works closely with a physicians and has a registered sonographer with more than 20 years of experience on site.
The procedures are given by physicians or other medical staff, though medical professionals say, in general, women receive just one or two.
The idea of electing an ultrasound is relatively new, but there are concerns with the practice.
"It can provide a sense of comfort or well being regarding the fetus and the baby inside when that person really isn't trained to make those diagnoses or to evaluate the baby in any way," said Loralei Thornburg, MD in Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Strong Hospital.
According to the Monroe County Medical Society, the ultrasound is a low-risk procedure, but it recommends that patients talk to physicians before elective procedures.
"Ultrasound performed before the 20th week can be misleading. In addition, there are studies which indicate that frequent scanning can cause fetal abnormalities," said Dr. Nancy Adams, Executive Director of the Monroe County Medical Society.
