By ROB JONAS
Discovering the gender of a baby before he or she is born is a big deal these days. Expectant parents are increasingly holding gender reveal parties in their homes and on social media. The sooner they know, the sooner they can let their family and friends know.
Shannon Nelson took note of this increased interest in early gender identification. A sonographer who spent more than a decade working at hospitals and clinics in central New York, Nelson opened her own business called Baby’s Debut in 2013 outside of Utica and has expanded to Syracuse and, more recently, Colonie.
“When I was working at the hospital, I saw a lot of patients coming in, and they wanted to know what gender the baby was right away,” said Nelson.
Baby’s Debut is the only office in the region that uses 3D/4D/HD technology to create an image of the unborn baby as early as 15 weeks, which Nelson said is the time when the first indications of the baby’s gender can be seen.
“We show it on a big screen television, so everyone can see the image,” said Nelson. “We also create a DVD for the parents, so they can have a keepsake to take home with them.”
It’s not just the parents who are in the room, either. Nelson said family and friends can be invited by the expectant couple to view the gender reveal, which is something that can’t be done at a doctor’s office or a hospital.
“It’s not diagnostic. It’s purely for entertainment,” said Nelson.
The response has been strong in the markets Nelson has entered. The Utica and Syracuse locations have been busy, and she said she is hoping for a similar response to her new location at 6 Automation Lane in Colonie.
“It’s a bigger area [than Utica or Syracuse], so it’s taking a little more time than usual to take off. But, the people who have come in have given us great reviews,” said Nelson.
Baby’s Debut is open evenings during the week and during the daytime on Saturdays to accommodate family and friends. For more information, call 315-525-0818 or visit babysdebutny.com.
