Despite Themselves

Even the NYTimes can't avoid reality. The article on "entertainment" ultrasounds begins by referring to fetuses, but by the end...

...it's a baby.

The music playing gently in the background also serves as the soundtrack for the DVD the clients receive. It was composed by a client's husband, Marc Bazermat, who was so taken by the experience he had with his wife that he created what they call in the office "The Ultrasound Song."

"Clients can also bring in their own music," Ms. McClintock said. So an unborn baby can groove to the Beatles or Busta Rhymes, depending on what the parents think their offspring's tastes may be.

Mrs. Fronimos's tiny daughter seemed to favor chocolate.

When the baby would not cooperate, choosing instead to shield herself with tiny hands from the prenatal equivalent of paparazzi, Ms. Johnson turned to a trick she picked up during the 20 years she has performed ultrasounds in doctors' offices.

She gave the mother chocolate.

"It goes straight to the baby," Ms. Johnson said. "It's a sugar rush."

Sure enough, the image on the screen soon became clearer, and a big smile could be discerned.