At a hospital maternity unit all the babying goes to the babies. Rachel Swardson-Wenham thinks it's time to start mothering the mothers. "It definitely was something that should exist, and I couldn't believe nobody did it."
In June Rachel launched her new company Go Home Gorgeous offering in-hospital massages and spa services to new moms.
The Edina mom came up with the idea after the birth of her third child. "You go into the delivery exhausted and then you do the hardest thing that a woman will physically do in her lifetime, then up and out of there."
Rachel, who'd been out of the workforce for several years raising her kids, started her business with a loan from her brother. "What we would love to do is have moms think of their time in the hospital as a retreat."
Go Home Gorgeous now offers on-call spa services at every hospital in the Twin Cities and in January began operating on-site at Fairview Southdale and Fairview Ridges.
Fairview receives no compensation from Go Home Gorgeous, but can offer its new moms "an outstanding patient experience," said Meri Beth Kennedy, director of perinatal services for Fairview Southdale.
Services at GHG's on-site hospitals start at $45 for a foot treatment and massage and top out at $139 for the Deluxe Postnatal Body Therapy, described as a "full body treat."
Rachel considers her services to be a perfect shower gift, though she says new mothers often purchase a massage as a gift to themselves.
Midway through her massage, Susannah Berman was sold. "I feel incredible," said the first time mom. "This is such an amazing treat."
In a bad economy, Rachel has hired nine massage therapists, two client concierges and a chief operating officer who recently accepted a buyout at Best Buy.
"To be creating jobs at a time like this is just the most amazing feeling," said Rachel. She's already eyeing other cities for expansion. "Wherever there's moms we hope to have a Go Home Gorgeous available."
After all, it's not just about the baby. As Rachel likes to say, "A mother was born today too."
Click here for more information on Go Home Gorgeous.
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