Medical Center Grant Promotes Pregnancy Health

The Baltimore Washington Medical Center was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Severna Park Kiwanis Club. The grant will be used for the center’s Stork’s Nest program.

Stork’s Nest coordinator Andrea Lynn said the grant will help continue education on healthy pregnancy care.

“We are honored to have received this grant from the Severna Park Kiwanis,” said Lynn. “The grant will go a long way in helping the participants of our program.”

Stork's Nest offers eight, hour-long education classes held at the Pascal Women's Center at Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

Class topics include the importance of prenatal care, what to expect during labor and delivery, basic infant care and safe sleeping.

The program uses a point-based incentive system to encourage women to attend Stork's Nest educational classes, prenatal care appointments, and to adopt healthy behaviors.

These points can then be used to purchase a variety of infant care items including clothing, bath tubs, car seats, and more at the Stork's Nest store.

Women can continue to earn points after their babies are born by taking them to well-baby checkups and making sure they receive immunizations on time. Participants earn points until their babies are a year old.

The Stork’s Nest program is a partnership the medical center has with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, the March of Dimes Maryland Chapter and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Rho Eta chapter.

The program is the first of its kind in the county and the goal is to prevent premature births, low birth weight babies and infant mortality.

Any pregnant woman in Anne Arundel County is eligible to participate, but the program's emphasis is on engaging pregnant women who do not receive regular prenatal care and are at elevated risk potential causes of infant mortality such as low birth weight baby or premature birth.

Classes are offered in both English and Spanish. All participants need to register by calling the Stork's Nest program coordinator, Andrea Lynn, at 410-787-4366. Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Dr., Glen Burnie.