Stork's Nest helps pregnant women who help themselves
By KAWANZA L. GRIFFIN
kgriffin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Feb. 15, 2004
Monseerrat has two children and is seven months pregnant with her third.
She works hard to do what's best for her kids and wants them to have everything they need.
But since the premature birth of her second child, she and her husband have been feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what they'll be able to provide for their new baby.
So each Wednesday, Monseerrat, who asked that her last name not be used, heads to a parenting class at Sixteenth Street Community Health Center.
And because she also gets regular prenatal care, she'll be able to visit The Stork's Nest and get many of her basic baby items free.
The Stork's Nest is a program that encourages expectant mothers to get proper prenatal care by awarding points for each prenatal visit and other activities such as ultrasounds and lab tests. Upon delivery, points can be redeemed for baby care items such as diapers, baby wipes, blankets and clothing.
"Even though I have a lot of family, that doesn't mean that I have a lot of support," said the 23-year-old, through a Spanish language interpreter.
"I came to the classes because I wanted to become a better mother and I need more help right now," she said. "But once I got there, I found out about The Stork's Nest . . . and I found it to be magnificent that they give me these wonderful things that I need."
The program is a collaborative effort between Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. It's available at Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, St. Michael Hospital and Columbia-St. Mary's.
"Everyone is not fortunate enough to have everything that they need when the baby is born," said Ophelia Nash, coordinator for Aurora Sinai and a sorority member. "Why not give them an incentive where all they have to do is go to an appointment and be able to get points to get the things they need?"
The latest report published by Start Smart Stay Smart Milwaukee found that 53% of all women giving birth in the city of Milwaukee between 1998 and 2000 received adequate prenatal care, compared with 65% statewide.
However fewer pregnant African-American women sought prenatal care during their first trimester, and those who did had 10 or fewer prenatal visits.
Nash said that the program is open to all women - they just have to be pregnant and receiving care at a participating hospital or health center. Patients redeem their points at the hospital or health center's Stork store.
Points don't transfer between facilities, she said.
Both Aurora Sinai and Sixteenth Street award 10 points for each prenatal visit, as well as additional points for getting ultrasounds, lab tests and other things. Sixteenth Street awards 25 points for each parenting class.
"This program reaches people who otherwise probably wouldn't consider a parenting class or any of the other services we offer," said Laura Vargas, a social worker at the community health center who teaches the classes. "Once they go, they like it and the continue to come back."
Vargas said that the health center's storecaters to their Spanish-speaking patients and that she holds a raffle in each class to award additional points to moms who submit questions to learn more about taking care of their babies.
"For some people, this is their only means to be able to buy something brand-new," she said.
http://www.jsonline.com/alive/news/feb04/207475.asp
Stork's Nest helps pregnant women who help themselves
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