Stork’s Nest helps create a healthy beginning for each mother and baby. A healthy baby starts with a healthy pregnancy. The goal of the stork’s Nest program is to prevent premature births, low birth-weight babies and infant mortality.

Stork’s Nest offers eight hour-long education classes held at the Pascal Women’s Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Class topics include the importance of prenatal care, what to expect during labor and delivery, breastfeeding, basic infant care, and safe sleeping. The program uses a point-based incentive system. Participants can earn points by attending Stork’s Nest educational classes, going to their prenatal care appointments, and adopting healthy behaviors.

These points can then be used to shop at the Stork’s Nest store, where women can “purchase” a variety of infant care items, including clothing, diapers, and car seats. Participants continue to earn points after their baby is born and until their baby turns 12 months old by attending well-baby checkups and making sure immunizations are received on time.

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 an elevated risk for having a low birth-weight baby or premature birth . . . potential causes of infant mortality.

Stork’s Nest relies on the generosity of community members to keep the Nest stocked with infant care items for participants, so please contribute if possible.