May 14, 2009
By Karen McEnany-Phillips
Observer Staff
Like many expectant moms, Pam Neff tried to measure her growing belly and record the many special experiences along the way.
"Unfortunately, the only tools I had to do so consisted of a notebook, tape measure from my husband's tool box and some ribbon," Pam said.
When she was eight months pregnant it seemed overwhelming to sort, review and compile all her pregnancy notes.
"There must be a better way," she said to her husband, Kevin, a teacher and athletic director at Maitland Middle School. So Kevin and Pam, a former teacher herself, put on their thinking caps. The Mommy Measure made its debut shortly before the birth of their first son.
Doubling as a growth chart and keepsake, the 72-inch vinyl measuring tool is pliable to comfortably measure circumference and fundal height — measured from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus — of bellies from 12 to 42 weeks. It's also wide enough to journal brief notes and experiences.
Twenty-four heart stickers are included to mark each measurement. Two scales are marked on the Mommy Measure: a belly-growth scale to track circumference monthly or bi-monthly, and a weeks-pregnant scale that compares the week of the pregnancy versus the gestational age derived from the fundal measurement.
Important milestones such as food cravings, baby heartbeats and kicks, ultrasounds, contractions, and special nursery purchases are a few of the experiences that can be jotted down next to each measurement.
The Mommy Measure comes in three color patterns: blue stars, pink polka dots, and green polka dots.
The Neffs hope to add yellow polka dots to the color palette as well as a white shadow box to hold The Mommy Measure as a keepsake.
When Pam was pregnant with their second child, she found it much easier to log and compare measurements and experiences by using their new invention.
Lake Mary resident Kim Cofrancesco is 34 weeks pregnant and is currently using the Mommy Measure during her second pregnancy.
"It's awesome," Cofrancesco said. "I wish I had it with my first child."
Cofrancesco has been recording her pregnancies through a Web site and journal so the Mommy Measure was a natural addition to that process.
"It is such a cool product that gives you a quick glimpse and reference to how big you are. I record my weeks, my measurements and anything significant that is happening," she said.
Neff has contacted some OBGYN offices, hospital birthing classes, pregnancy classes and places where moms meet in person and online.
"We've also tapped into mommy blogs; it's really catching on there. Most of our sales have been gifts," Pam said. "It makes a great gift by itself, an addition to a baby shower basket or as a companion gift with a baby book."
Through Mother's Day they offered free gift wrapping with any purchase and project to double their May sales. The Neffs will sponsor the "Biggest Belly Contest" at the Smart Baby Expo in Tampa this June.
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Growing gift
Developed by a Maitland couple, the Mommy Measure is used to track the growth of a pregnancy. It is available for sale for $14.99 plus shipping. To learn more or to purchase The Mommy Measure, visit www.MommyMeasure.com.
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