It's difficult to succeed in life if you get a very slow start out of the "birth blocks." And for far too many African American children and other children of color, that "slow start" begins right in their mothers'wombs during pregnancy. According to the state of Wisconsin, in 2004-2006, the percent of African American babies born with low birth weight was 11.4% compared to 5.6% for Whites. For very low birth weights, it was 3.3% for African Americans and 1% for Whites. And while some African American babies may survive the low birth weights and lack of nutrition and care while they are in their mothers' wombs, all too many don't survive to their second birthday. In 2006, the number of infant deaths for African American children under 1 year old was 17.2 per thousand. For Whites, it was 4.9 per thousand. For fetal deaths, it was 10.7 for African Americans and 4.8 for Whites, for neonatal, it was 12.1 for African Americans and 3.2 for Whites. Back in 1972, the Zeta Phi Beta sorority was determined to do something for African American young mothers and their babies. So they teamed up with the March of Dimes to establish the Stork's Nest program to encourage African American mothers -- and to teach them how -- to follow proper nutrition and health care practices while they are pregnant. Through the years, Stork's Nests have been established across the country. Currently there are six in the Milwaukee area. Later this month, Madison will get its first Stork's Nest. Zeta Phi Beta members Theola Carter and Almeda Williams have seen the need for a Stork's Nest in Madison for some time now and have been looking for the right partners to make it a reality. They found a good health care partner in Stephanie Johnson and St. Mary's. Along with Pamela Pfeffer and the March of Dimes, they now have the right mix of expertise and resources to create a successful program in Madison. "Stork's Nest is meant to be a bridge between the community and health care professionals," Carter said. "The emphasis of the program since its origin is that we have always partnered with a health care clinic. St. Mary's being right in the heart of that neighborhood -- where there is a large people of color population -- is just perfect." It is quite symbolic that the Stork's Nest will be located in St. Mary's EMS Training Center at 919 S. Park Street, on a bus line that connects to South Madison and Bayview and is within walking distance to a Dean Clinic and St. Mary's Hospital. St. Mary's will provide nurses for the educational component as well as the facility. While the Zetas will act as a bridge to the African American community for the program, they also bring some of their own expertise. Williams is a VAHospital dietician. "We need to inform them about healthy babies andwhat things they can do that are preventative," Williams emphasized. "It is just so important. There are some things we can't prevent, which might be genetic or of that nature. But the things we know that can definitely be stopped are mothers drinking alcohol and mothers smoking. We know these things directly contribute to birth defects. So if can encourage them and let them know about the various things that will go toward having a healthy baby, that's our goal." Beginning December 15, Stork's Nest will be open on the 1st and third Saturdays of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon. It has a series of eight sessions on nutrition and maternal health that will be repeated throughout the year. And as incentive for the young mothers to attend the classes and their medical, they will earn Stork Dollars, which they will be able to cash in for maternity clothes, baby clothing and other items. The target group for the initial pilot of Stork's Nest is women 18 years old and younger who meet financial eligibility, which is defined as qualifying for medical assistance, and will be delivering at St. Mary's. Depending upon the results of this pilot Stork's Nest, the organizers envision establishing other Stork's Nests in the Madison area and involving churches, schools and other health and service-oriented organizations. The group also plans to expand the curriculum to meet local needs. "The nurses at St. Mary's really thought it was important to have a breastfeeding class and information about relationships and domestic violence," Johnson said. And linkages may be made with child support agencies to assist the mothers in ensuring their ability to provide financially for their babies and to legally identify the father for medical and financial reasons. The organizers are almost like expectant mothers as the grand opening for the first Stork's Nest draws near. "When Theola sends e-mails, the excitement at the end of her messages is just infectious," Johnson said with a laugh. "There's a lot of passion there." And it is the passion of the Zetas and the St. Mary's staff that will help ensure that some African American babies in the Madison area do not become another statistic on low birth weight and go on lead healthy lifestyles. On November 17, Stork's Nest will hold an open house at its "nest" at 999 S. Park Street from 10-11:30 a.m. The general public is invited. |
| Stork's Nest to open in Madison Promoting healthy babies By Jonathan Gramling |
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| Zeta Phi Beta's Theola Carter (l-r) and Almeda Williams, St. Mary's Stephanie Johnson and March of Dimes' Pamela Pfeffer have teamed up to develop the first Stork's Nest in Madison. |