Expectant parents have a lot of questions and they need reliable
answers. “Is a midwife a viable option for delivery? Is there a safe
method of massage for my aching back? Can we share an ultrasound with
our extended family?” After Baby’s arrival, there are additional
questions; about breastfeeding, maternal recovery, safe products and
more.
Lori Dunkman heard all these questions, and a thousand more, during her
years as an ultrasound technician at a large hospital and found that,
while resources exist to help pregnant and new moms, they tend to be
scattered and sketchy. Now, Dunkman has brought all these resources
together in a ground-breaking location called The Belly Factory. Located
in Frankfort, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, and decorated
with shades of chocolate and bursts of raspberry, The Belly Factory is
like nothing expectant parents, new moms or grandparents have ever seen.
While The Belly Factory offers the latest in 4D ultrasound, Dunkman has
shattered the norm for ultrasound boutique offerings. “My mission is to
make the life of mom, dad and baby healthier, more comfortable and more
assured, by offering them every resource you can imagine in one spot,”
says Dunkman.
And she truly does.
The Belly Factory offers yoga classes, including prenatal, postpartum,
Mom & Dad and Mommy and Me. “Yoga training can relieve contractions and
help with digestion and elimination. Participants improve their moods,
lessen morning sickness and ease backaches. Yoga trains our bodies to
take in all that wonderful oxygen that helps with baby’s development and
teaches focus and meditation, which can be extremely advantageous during
delivery,” affirms instructor Laura Kirby.
Addressing the many perplexing choices available during delivery,
Dunkman has assembled educational seminars, including topics such as
midwifery, how a dula can help, and natural childbirth options. “You
can’t make a decision about which delivery options are best for you if
you don’t know what they are. People may think a dula is like a midwife
and miss out on the unique advantages of engaging a dula. A dula is your
coach who helps with breathing techniques, offers suggestions to
increase your comfort, and communicates your wishes to the delivering
physician or midwife, while you – and dad - are intensely focused
elsewhere.” Classes in infant/baby CPR, American Red Cross Baby Safe and
Prenatal Chiropractic Care, among others, are also available. La Leche
League chapter meetings are held monthly.
“Moms-to-be and new moms would love to have a massage, but many are
afraid to indulge, because few massage therapists have the knowledge and
skill to give this specialized treatment; it is something to be very
careful with. We have two therapists, certified specifically in prenatal
and postpartum massage, to help moms safely relax, de-stress and sooth
aches, cramps and pains,” says Dunkman.
Expectant moms can surf the web and find well-designed, natural,
ergonomic products, but what if they want to touch, feel (and perhaps
smell) before buying? The Belly Factory is stocked with hundreds of
these products, from maternity skin care, baby slings and contemporary
maternity gowns to BPH/BPA-free bottles, g diapers and nursing covers,
from manufacturers such as Belli Skin Care, Expect-n-See, and Thymes All
Natural Household Cleaners. Shoppers can indulge in Smart Mom Baby Bling
and Body Art. As Dunkman notes, “This is a ducky-and-bunny-free zone.”
Over 70% of The Belly Factory’s merchandise is manufactured by
stay-at-home moms. Each quarter, 20% of those sales benefit a different
charity. A gift registry is available, along with baby
shower/christening facilities.
The Belly Factory’s Grand Opening & Baby Fair will be held Thursday,
December 18 through Sunday, December 21, from 10 am to 5 pm each day,
with a ribbon-cutting Thursday at 4:00 pm. The Fair features midwives,
dulas, chiropractic physicians, massage therapists, home helpers,
manufacturer’s representatives, college planning professionals and reams
of helpful information. Giveaways and drawings are planned for each day.
The Belly Factory is at 20500 LaGrange Road (Rte. 45) in Frankfort,
easily accessible from I-80, I-355 and I-57. For more information, visit www.thebellyfactory.com,
or call 815-534-5293.
Dunkman, a bundle of energy and enthusiasm, says, “I began with the idea
of offering the very best in ultrasound, administered by certified and
registered technicians, in a warm, inclusive setting. Then, I found a
huge hole in mom/baby resources. Everyone had a “You could offer this…”
type of reaction and I realized parents really needed help. That’s when
I knew what my mission had to be. I had to assemble a complete resource
to address all their questions.”
And from the looks of it, The Belly Factory really does have all the
answers.
The Belly Factory
Lori Dunkman, 815-534-5293
