WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

This story is right on time as we celebrate Black History Month! Courtney Hall has the first Black-owned ultrasound studio in Downtown Greensboro. This amazing woman is now in the book of Black History. 

Let’s meet the visionary and owner of Bump Baby Bliss.

When and why did you see a need to start this amazing business? 

I started Bump.Baby.Bliss about nine years ago, shortly after having my first son. I’ve always had a passion for maternal health as a small child. My parents were pregnant with twins when I was 10 years old, and their pregnancy was the coolest thing to me. I’ve always been a caring person and a fixer. So, I pursued my degree in social work and earned my bachelor’s at NC A&T State University and master’s from the University of South Carolina. Fast forward to the opening. My dream has always been to have a spot where I can do all the things I love, in one building. It was always a dream of mine to create a one-stop shop for pre- and postpartum care outside of their medical necessities.

Is there a personal testimony that ignited your vision and passion to start Bump Baby Bliss? 

I’ve been doing doula work and therapy for years and the feedback about my services has been amazing and always makes me feel good about what I do. After talking to my husband one day, he says, ‘What are you waiting on? When are you going to make it happen, you are dope, and you have a lot to offer.’ With the support of my right-hand man, I felt pretty confident about moving forward and really stepping out of my comfort zone. Not to mention I would literally have dreams of the building, how it would look, the people I would serve. It was kind of crazy.

What are some of the medical care issues that are sometimes missed or ignored with pregnant African American women?
Acknowledging our concerns is often overlooked, which causes many women of color to not want to eceive prenatal care. Many providers do not understand that all women and our bodies are different. We are not all made the same and shouldn’t be viewed as such. We want to be heard and feel cared for. So many women are groomed to suck it up. Oftentimes there are many physical concerns and/or mental health concerns that do not get addressed because of the thought of us being bothersome to others or feeling dismissed.
What services do you provide? 
Bump Baby Bliss is a one-stop shop for all of your pre- and postpartum needs. The studio offers a comprehensive range of services, including 2D, 3D, and 4D ultrasounds, early DNA gender testing, birth doula support, placenta encapsulation, individual and couples therapy, childbirth classes, breastfeeding assistance, and mentorship. Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring a positive and empowering experience for every family we serve. Having pre & post-care to strengthen your mental health and awareness is a necessity, not a luxury.

Share with those of us who are not familiar, the role of a doula.

A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. An advocate, educator, support, and a labor coach.

How do breathing techniques help with prenatal care?
It doesn’t really help with prenatal care, but it helps with preparing for a more controlled labor and delivery. During childbirth, breathing in a rhythm can help distract you from pain. It can also help relax your muscles and your mind. As your due date gets closer, you can learn and practice different ways of doing focused breathing, such as belly breathing and pant-pant-blow breathing. Deep breathing is also a form of meditation.

Share with us why pre and post-care is important for the mother’s mental health.

An article from the National Library of Medicine, Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy, A Critical Review, stated many females have psychological well-being issues during pregnancy or after giving birth. It can happen to anybody. Depression and anxiety are the most widely recognized psychological well-being issues during pregnancy. These affect a significant number of pregnant females. Especially helpless are those females with histories of mental ailments who stop psychotropic drugs during pregnancy. Mental health issues can also be associated with abortions, broken homes, problems between the couple, unhealthy work-life balance, undue stress, physiological disorders, etc. Pregnancy is traditionally considered a good time with good feelings, but it is not so. Until a few years ago, the only importance given to mental health was after childbirth. Nowadays, mental health is given its due attention right from conception to antenatal care, to labor, to postpartum period. Patients are educated on the importance of mental health and its short-term and long-term effects on the mother and the baby. Fathers are educated because they can play a crucial role. Some valuable solutions can be medication such as antidepressants, talking to a therapist, exercising, talking to close friends and family, couple counseling, and de-stressing.

Why is it important to follow fetal development month by month?
Knowledge is power. Knowing what’s happening to your body and baby during each stage and week of your pregnancy is a great way to be aware and prepared for the changes, physically and mentally.
Are your prices more affordable than others? 

I would say affordable. The experience of visiting our studio is priceless! We also like to refer to our prices as investments. Investing in yourself and your primary needs.
Explain how you serve the holistic needs of your clients.
A holistic approach focuses on a person’s wellness and not just their illness or condition. It refers to the provision of care to patients that are based on a mutual understanding of their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
Do you recommend expecting parents to learn the gender in advance? What are the advantages? Are there any disadvantages? 

All of our services are considered necessities because we are educating families on simply pouring back into them. Ultrasounds are our only “luxury” service, meaning it’s not a necessity, something you don’t necessarily need. It is considered non-medical and totally elective. With that said, knowing the gender is not something I necessarily recommend or not. It’s YOUR choice and we support that. If you opt out for ultrasounds but still want to know the baby’s gender, we offer Sneak Peek blood draw to determine the gender as early as seven weeks.

What role must the husband or partner play in the success of a healthy pregnancy and birth?

It is important that men are aware and communicate their needs and feelings as well. (Ha, ha!) What man is doing that, right? But even if a man does not struggle to process major changes or does not struggle with communicating; men are still experiencing a major adjustment in their life and should reach out to a therapist to help process all the changes that are yet to come with expanding your family and understanding their partner. Also, during pregnancy women want comfort, hugs and food! 

How can we reach you for more information?

Please leave a voicemail if we miss you. Should you have any questions or if you’d like more information about Bump Baby Bliss, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at 336-638-1907, please leave a voicemail if we miss you, or visit www.BumpBabyBliss.com. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and LinkTree.
What scripture or quote gives you strength and endurance when needed?

“What’s for me, is for me” is my favorite quote and daily reminder. “Why We Sing” by Kirk Franklin reminds me that everything is going to be OK.

My phenomenal Person of the Week is Courtney Hall.