Pregnancy can be a nerve-wracking time for many women especially if you’ve experienced any challenges before getting pregnant. I was therefore thrilled to speak to Eisher, a Sonographer and mum to 2-year-old Dylan about her very own private ultrasound clinic, Wellbeing of My Baby.
An increasing number of parents are opting to have private scans to serve as a complement to the standard ones provided by the NHS and to enhance their overall experience by getting a 3D/4D scan so they can see their baby up close before they meet them!
A survey carried out by which.co.uk (February 2022) showed that 83% of parents who’d had a child in the past five years had decided to pay for at least one private pregnancy scan. Of these, 84% said they found the procedure ‘very useful’.
So why are women seeking private scans and what spurred Eisher to set up a private clinic to support them? All of this and more can be found in this inspiring interview.
Before we dive right in, if you enjoy these type of interview stories then read this one after: Interview with Founder of Our Remedy: CBD for women
Right. Got a hot brew in hand? Please enjoy this interview:
1. How did it all begin?
Following my post-graduate studies and training in Ultrasound, I worked within the NHS and did some part-time work in the private sector. I felt a little frustrated by the systems I was working within and the lack of time that I could offer during such a personal and special period in a woman’s life.
Even after years of scanning, it wasn’t until I fell pregnant myself that I fully appreciated the emotional impact of ultrasound. The official scans were over in an instant, and I knew from my work in the NHS that parents wanted more.
I started looking into how I could set up my own clinic that could provide each couple with a personalised service and the time to bond with their baby.
2. Is there anyone who inspired you to make it happen?
My husband. When I went to him with the idea of opening our own clinic, he fully got behind it. Plus, he has a background in marketing and advertising so we made a strong team in getting the clinic off the ground. He even left his 9-5 job to help me get it set up!
3. What is the mission of Wellbeing of My Baby?
My ultimate mission is to provide an ultrasound service which is inclusive of all women, and both supportive and personalised.
It’s also to have each couple leave the clinic feeling empowered with more knowledge about their unborn baby.
4. What services does your ultrasound clinic provide?
We currently offer the following services:
- an early viability scan for women from 6 weeks to 14 weeks pregnant
- a late reassurance scan for those who are 14-40 weeks pregnant
- gender scans to determine the fetal gender from 16 weeks onwards
- 3D/ 4D scans
We will also be offering the NIPT test in the near future, which is a blood test to assess for chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. This will be made available from 10 weeks onwards.
5. Why do pregnant women use private ultrasound clinics like Wellbeing of My Baby?
Currently, the NHS offers a scan at 12 weeks and 20 weeks gestation. I know first-hand from my own experience that two scans can often not feel like enough throughout the 40 weeks of pregnancy. In order to get that peace of mind and reassurance that the pregnancy is progressing as expected, a private ultrasound can make all the difference to someone’s anxiety.
We offer an obstetric scanning service right the way through from 6 weeks to 40 weeks, so it means that whenever a woman has a concern relating to her pregnancy, we’re there to check in and reassure her.
6. What scans are the most popular?
I would say the early viability scan is a very popular choice. As we can take a pregnancy test very early on now, it can feel like such a long time to reach that initial 12-week scan, so lots of women like to check in to confirm their pregnancy at an earlier stage.
The gender scan is also very popular for those who want to determine the sex of their baby early, and like to prepare and plan!
7. If clients were to describe your clinic in three words, what do you think they’d say?
Reassuring. Modern. Calming.
8. What was your journey to becoming a mum like?
It’s funny because being a Sonographer always made me really anxious about becoming a mum. I sometimes think knowing too much about the process can make it worse!
I was adamant in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to easily fall pregnant because a great deal of my work is with women who have had miscarriages or who are undergoing fertility treatment (I don’t think people realise just how common it is).
So when I did fall pregnant soon after launching the clinic it was quite a shock and a lot to adjust to. There was running a new business and becoming a new mum at the same time – it was quite the challenge! Now we have Dylan who is soon to turn two!
9. What challenges have you faced as a new mum and how have you overcome them?
I don’t think I ever imagined just how challenging motherhood would be. There’s the emotional overload after birth, suddenly prioritising one little human’s needs before your own then the terrible two’s which have just begun. Not to mention, the endless piles of washing! Every stage feels like a new challenge, but it’s all so worth it.
In the first few months, I was determined to do everything myself but I quickly realised that it really does take a village to raise a baby and a good support network around you to keep your sanity.
10. What do you do for self-care?
Two years later, I feel like I have finally managed to integrate some self-care back into my routine. With my husband working from home half of the week and Dylan now in a good routine, I can run out to the gym to squeeze in a workout while he’s napping.
I also often wake before him in the morning to get some moments of calm. I’d get myself ready and do 10 minutes of meditation before the craziness begins. It doesn’t always happen but I try to make it a habit.
11. How do you balance running the clinic with being a mum?
So three things: family, organisation and getting my little one involved.
- Family – we are very lucky that we have a lot of wonderful family around us so when I’m at the clinic Dylan will be with his Grandparents or at nursery!
- Organisation – I have definitely had to up my game in terms of being organised since becoming a mum to ensure that everything gets done. That means writing to-do lists and making a plan for the following day to know what we’re all doing ahead of time!
- Getting Dylan involved- I’ve learnt that it’s just not always possible to separate working life and Mum life so Dylan is very familiar with the clinic now. Whenever I have to pop in to do admin or clean, he’s usually in tow and happy to play or create more mess for me to then clean up!
12. What advice would you give to another mum who is looking to set up her own business?
If I can do it, you can do it! What can begin as one tiny seed of intrigue can grow into something amazing, so 100% take that risk.
It will feel like the hardest thing in the world juggling a business and being a full-time mum at first, but once the rewards start to show themselves through being able to be more flexible with your time and your family, it will be worth it all! In ten years or even five years’ time, you will look back and be so grateful that you took that initial step.
13. What’s next for the Wellbeing of My Baby clinic?
There are lots of exciting things in the pipeline for Wellbeing of My Baby. We’re looking to expand our service offering so stay tuned for the latest on our social media!
14. Where can we find you and how can we stay up-to-date with what’s happening at the clinic?
We’re based in Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire. We have had patients coming to us all the way from Bristol though, so feel free to reach out!
Our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram are regularly updated with new things happening in the clinic so please do give us a follow!
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Helping women get the reassurance they need during pregnancy, whenever they need it
I hope you loved this interview with Eisher and come away feeling so in awe of this supermum! She has been able to take a frustration she had and turn it into a business that is helping women during their pregnancy while providing the personalised care and knowledge they need. Wellbeing of My Baby is a modern and reassuring ultrasound clinic in Buckinghamshire. You can follow them on Facebook or Instagram, and if you or a friend is pregnant and seeking additional scans then give her a call.