The care your baby receives before birth is very important. Regular medical appointments can help prevent complications that could result in low birth weight, birth defects or infant death.
The Stork's Nest, a cooperative project between the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, is an incentive program to encourage you to see your care provider early and often during your pregnancy. If you obtain prenatal care early and regularly, you will earn shopping points to use at the Stork's Nest, which is stocked with an array of baby needs ranging from diapers, formula and feeding supplies to books, toys and clothes. Points also may be earned by attending health education classes and obtaining immunizations for your infant.
Pregnant women are referred to a local Stork's Nest via their clinic, HMO or other health care facility where they are receiving prenatal care. The care providers of the mothers-to-be will determine if they need assistance. There are no specific requirements that the mothers need to have to be eligible for the program other than a displayed need for assistance.
Mothers may continue shopping at the Stork's Nest until their children are twelve months old. Once enough points are accumulated, mothers-to-be may schedule shopping appointments between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Filomena LaSorte, program coordinator, at 410-550-0589 or e-mail flasorte@jhmi.edu.
Referring Clinics
- Center for Addiction and Pregnancy
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Mason F. Lord Building, D-5 East Tower
4940 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
- Baltimore Medical Systems
3509 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
- Johns Hopkins Women's Services at White Marsh
4924 Campbell Blvd.
White Marsh, MD 21236
- Johns Hopkins Women's Services at Bayview Medical Offices
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
BMO Building, Ground Floor
4940 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
If your medical clinic is interested in becoming a Stork's Nest site, please contact Filomena LaSorte at 410-550-0589.
Educational Programs
Several educational programs and health awareness workshops are available for mothers and mothers-to-be via the Stork's Nest, Johns Hopkins Bayview and the March of Dimes Foundation, including:
- Educational Programs Offered By the March of Dimes
The Stork's Nest and You
Keeping Yourself Healthy
Eating for Two
The "No"s of Pregnancy: Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
Warning Signs: What to Watch For
The Big Day
Caring for Your Baby
- Course Offerings at Johns Hopkins Bayview
Childbirth Preparation Classes
Labor and Delivery Tours
Sibling Classes
Support the Stork's Nest
The majority of items that are in stock at the Nest are donated from children's stores, hospital employees, churches, civic groups and the Gift-in-Kind Program. Other necessary items are purchased with donated funds and grant support. Items are also made and donated by Care Ware volunteers that sew and knit sweaters and blankets for the children.
The Stork's Nest is always in need of new strollers, cribs, car seats, feeding materials, clothing, diapers, monetary donations, books, toys and any other baby items that a new mother would need. There are also other ways to make a difference, like throwing a baby shower or walking in a March of Dimes sponsored event. To find out more, visit www.marchofdimes.com.
For more information about supporting the Stork's Nest, please contact Heidi Minken in the Office of Development at 410-502-2911.
Contact Information
Filomena LaSorte
Program Coordinator
410-550-0589, phone
DeVora Whiting
Zeta Phi Beta Contact
Anne Eder
March of Dimes Contact
410-752-8076, phone
