Stork’s Nest
How Does Stork’s Nest Work? Pregnant women in Harlem are referred to the Stork’s Nest through the prenatal care program at Harlem Hospital. Criteria are very basic: women must be low income and need encouragement to keep prenatal appointments. Stork’s Nest seeks to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies by providing: 
Women referred to the Nest “earn” points toward incentive items through a variety of health-promoting activities. Why is Stork’s Nest Important?
Low birth weight and prematurity are among the leading causes of death for babies of all races and the leading causes for African-American babies. Babies born with low birth weight are 20 times more likely to die in the first year of life than babies born at normal weight. If they survive, these babies may face serious health problems throughout their lives Locally Stork’s Nest is a cooperative project of The Five Pearl’s Foundation, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Sigma Nu Zeta Chapter, the March of Dimes and Harlem Hospital Center. Stork's Nest Wish List The Stork's Nest requires a constant supply of baby items to meet the demand from its program participants. For example, the Stork's Nest constantly seeks donations like: - Infant snow suits - Winter pajamas - Baby strollers Please click here to view the full list of needed items. Then make a contribution to the Stork’s Nest today! For all other information e-mail us at storksnest@fivepearlsfoundation.org. |
The Stork’s Nest is designed to increase the number of women who get early and regular prenatal care so that more babies get a healthy start in life. Stork’s Nest provides incentives to help pregnant women make and keep prenatal care appointment. It also teaches expectant parents about healthy pre natal and infant care practices.
The March of Dimes estimates that 12% of pregnant women—close to half a million a year—do not get adequate prenatal care. Prenatal care is vitally important for identifying and addressing medical and other risk factors for low birth weight, prematurity and other infant health problems. Harlem has the highest rate of premature births in Manhattan, according to a 2009 New York City Department of Health study. East Harlem has a 12.7% rate of premature births, which is the highest in Manhattan. Central Harlem has the second highest rate of premature births at 11.4%, according to the same study.
