Below are Baltimore area infant mortality prevention resources. Click the hyperlinked web address for transportation information and a map from Miracle City Church to each service. General information about infant mortality can be found below the listed resources.
March of Dimes (Maryland-Baltimore Chapter)
The goal of March of Dimes is to help save babies' lives by funding research to find the causes of premature birth and ways to prevent it. March of Dimes is also dedicated to supporting families with premature babies in intensive care, and to help women have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
2110 Washington Blvd., Suite 325
Arlington, VA 22204
(571) 257-2330
Services:
Eligibility: Free services for most, all utilize Medicaid and Medicare
For more information: https://www.marchforbabies.org/
Planned Parenthood Baltimore City Health Center
Planned Parenthood provides women with free and/or low cost pre/postnatal services including STI testing, abortion services, contraception, and pregnancy testing & services.
330 N Howard St
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 576-1414
Services:
Eligibility: Open to the Public. Offers a sliding fee scale and accepts Medicaid/Medical Assistance (except Jai Medical) and insurance for all GYN exams. Does not accept Medicare or CIGNA.
For more information: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/maryland/baltimore/21201/baltimore-city-health-center-3292-90620
B’more for Healthy Babies
Led by the Baltimore City Health Department and the Family League of Baltimore City, B'more for Healthy Babies works to bring together communities, organizations, and resources in order to ensure that full term babies are born into prepared and healthy families.
In partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department
Contact Rebecca Dineen
rebecca.dineen@baltimorecity.gov
(410) 396-9994
Services:
Eligibility:
For more information: http://healthybabiesbaltimore.com/about-bhb
Center for Pregnancy Concerns
Center for Pregnancy Concerns offers a variety of services free of charge. Their mission is to “protect the physical, emotional, and spiritual lives of women and their unborn children.”
5406 East Dr
Arbutus, MD 21227
(410) 391-6699
Services:
Eligibility: All are confidential and entirely free of charge
For more information: http://www.cpcforhelp.org/
Additional Information About Infant Mortality
What is infant mortality?
Infant mortality occurs when a baby dies before its first birthday. The infant mortality rate in a population is calculated by estimating the number of deaths per one thousand live births. estimate of the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births.
What causes infant mortality?
Many of these babies die from birth defects, preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation, low birthweight, maternal complications during pregnancy, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and injuries such as suffocation.
What can I do to prevent infant mortality in Baltimore?
Good preconception health and health care means living a safe, healthy lifestyle and managing any current health conditions before getting pregnant. By taking action on health issues before pregnancy, many future problems for the mother and baby can be prevented.
It is important for all women of reproductive age to adopt healthy behaviors such as--
· Taking folic acid.
· Maintaining a healthy diet and weight.
· Being physically active regularly.
· Quitting tobacco use.
· Not drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and using “street” drugs.
· Talking to your healthcare provider about screening and proper management of chronic diseases.
· Talking with your healthcare provider about taking any medications.
· Visiting your health care provider at the recommended scheduled time periods for your age and discuss if or when you are considering becoming pregnant.
· Using effective contraception correctly and consistently if you are sexually active, but wish to delay or avoid pregnancy.
· Preventing injuries and considering the safety of your home and family (e.g., wear seat belt, take CPR, install and test smoke alarms).
What steps can a woman take to help ensure a healthy pregnancy?
When pregnant, it is important to consult your physician about how you can maintain a healthy diet and weight, take folic acid, be physically active, and quit any tobacco or excessive alcohol use.
Citation:
Infant Mortality. (2016). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm
How long does a full-term pregnancy last?
A full term pregnancy typically lasts between 39 and 40 weeks 6 days.
Citation:
Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from https://www.health.ny.gov/community/pregnancy/why_is_40_weeks_so_important.htm
Should pregnant women get vaccinations?
It’s important, if possible, to make sure that vaccinations are up to date before becoming pregnant since there are some vaccines, such as the rubella vaccine, that you cannot receive after you are already pregnant because it poses a threat to the fetus. Any vaccinations that have a live virus are not reccomended. However, getting the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from infection and can also help protect your baby after birth before he or she can be vaccinated. This is important because the flu and whooping cough can be particularly dangerous for infants.
Citation:
Office on Women's Health Why breastfeeding is important. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-benefits.html
Can pregnant women get STDs?
Yes, it is possible for a pregnant woman to contract an STD. While the most common STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia in any other circumstance would be easily treatable, they pose serious health consequences to the developing baby when contracted while pregnant. These problems can include preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, and low birth weight according to studies conducted by the CDC.
Why is it important for a woman to breastfeed her baby?
Breastfeeding your baby goes far beyond basic nutritional needs. In addition to possessing all of the vitamins and nutrients that a baby needs in the first six months, breast milk also has disease fighting substances that protect the baby from getting sick. The substance guards against germs that they may come into contact with and some studies have even shown that breastfeeding can reduce a child's risk of developing certain cancers. When you choose to breastfeed, you make an investment in your baby's future. Breastfeeding allows you to make the food that is perfect for your baby. Your milk gives your baby the healthy start that will last a lifetime.
Breastfeeding also:
Citation:
Office on Women's Health Why breastfeeding is important. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-benefits.html
March of Dimes (Maryland-Baltimore Chapter)
The goal of March of Dimes is to help save babies' lives by funding research to find the causes of premature birth and ways to prevent it. March of Dimes is also dedicated to supporting families with premature babies in intensive care, and to help women have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
2110 Washington Blvd., Suite 325
Arlington, VA 22204
(571) 257-2330
Services:
- Local Event - March For Babies in Greater Baltimore
- Chapters conduct “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait” initiatives through one or more of the following components:
- A robust education and awareness campaign that aims to reduce early, non-medically indicated labor inductions and cesarean sections.
- Hospital quality improvement (QI) programs that support best practices related to the reduction of early scheduled births.
- A Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait community program that builds local and state partnerships to apply interventions that reduce the likelihood of an early birth.
- A partnership with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to reduce state rates of preterm birth.
Eligibility: Free services for most, all utilize Medicaid and Medicare
For more information: https://www.marchforbabies.org/
Planned Parenthood Baltimore City Health Center
Planned Parenthood provides women with free and/or low cost pre/postnatal services including STI testing, abortion services, contraception, and pregnancy testing & services.
330 N Howard St
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 576-1414
Services:
- Planned Parenthood affiliates provide educational programs and outreach to 1.5 million young people and adults every year.
- Will mail birth control to patients who are unable to gain access to it themselves
- Online STD testing
- Prenatal Care
- Morning After pill and abortion services
- Sexual Health and Reproductive Education services
Eligibility: Open to the Public. Offers a sliding fee scale and accepts Medicaid/Medical Assistance (except Jai Medical) and insurance for all GYN exams. Does not accept Medicare or CIGNA.
For more information: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/maryland/baltimore/21201/baltimore-city-health-center-3292-90620
B’more for Healthy Babies
Led by the Baltimore City Health Department and the Family League of Baltimore City, B'more for Healthy Babies works to bring together communities, organizations, and resources in order to ensure that full term babies are born into prepared and healthy families.
In partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department
Contact Rebecca Dineen
rebecca.dineen@baltimorecity.gov
(410) 396-9994
Services:
- Safe sleep - Infant sleep-related deaths are the second leading cause of death for healthy infants in Baltimore City, and they are overwhelmingly preventable. BHB has committed considerable resources to ensure that every baby in Baltimore sleeps safely via mass media campaigns, community outreach, and education for providers.
- Family planning - Under the expanded Maryland Family Works Act, many Maryland women – including working women depending upon income level – can get birth control for free
- Teen pregnancy prevention - BHB’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI) works to reduce teen births by improving young people’s access to age-appropriate and evidence-based health education, medically appropriate clinical services, and opportunities to engage their communities and grow as civic leaders.
- Connection to prenatal care resources around Baltimore City
- Housing - BHB is working with home visiting programs to develop ways to follow women with high-risk pregnancies during frequent moves. They are working to improve shelter policies for pregnant women and increasing access to permanent scattered-site housing in the city.
- Smoking Cessation
Eligibility:
For more information: http://healthybabiesbaltimore.com/about-bhb
Center for Pregnancy Concerns
Center for Pregnancy Concerns offers a variety of services free of charge. Their mission is to “protect the physical, emotional, and spiritual lives of women and their unborn children.”
5406 East Dr
Arbutus, MD 21227
(410) 391-6699
Services:
- Helpline - 24 hr. answering service for pregnancy test, material assistance, peer counseling.
- (301) 391 - 3911
- Pregnancy Testing - Self-administered urine tests, 99% accurate.
- Confidential Peer Counseling - Counseling by trained, compassionate volunteers. All conversations completely confidential.
- Pre-natal Development Information - Actual photographs of each stage of fetal development with explanations and descriptions of each stage.
- Hannah's Cupboard (Material Assistance) - Maternity clothing, formula, diapers, layettes, clothing up to 4T.
- Earn While You Learn Program - The Earn While You Learn Program is a comprehensive educational program that promotes healthy bonds between facilitators, clients and their babies while enabling clients to gain valuable life/relationship and parenting skills.
- Abstinence Program & Speakers Bureau - Abstinence talks provided for church groups and school groups, as well as individual peer counseling. (LOVE 180)
- Referrals - Comprehensive resource information referrals including shelters (Gabriel Network), healthcare, adoption (Bethany Christian Services) and more.
- Post Abortion Counseling and Education - Peer counseling for both women and men experiencing adverse effects from abortion. (Project Rachel)-(Heart of Mercy)
- Sonograms - Limited ultrasound administered by a certified nurse sonographer.
Eligibility: All are confidential and entirely free of charge
For more information: http://www.cpcforhelp.org/
Additional Information About Infant Mortality
What is infant mortality?
Infant mortality occurs when a baby dies before its first birthday. The infant mortality rate in a population is calculated by estimating the number of deaths per one thousand live births. estimate of the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births.
What causes infant mortality?
Many of these babies die from birth defects, preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation, low birthweight, maternal complications during pregnancy, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and injuries such as suffocation.
What can I do to prevent infant mortality in Baltimore?
Good preconception health and health care means living a safe, healthy lifestyle and managing any current health conditions before getting pregnant. By taking action on health issues before pregnancy, many future problems for the mother and baby can be prevented.
It is important for all women of reproductive age to adopt healthy behaviors such as--
· Taking folic acid.
· Maintaining a healthy diet and weight.
· Being physically active regularly.
· Quitting tobacco use.
· Not drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and using “street” drugs.
· Talking to your healthcare provider about screening and proper management of chronic diseases.
· Talking with your healthcare provider about taking any medications.
· Visiting your health care provider at the recommended scheduled time periods for your age and discuss if or when you are considering becoming pregnant.
· Using effective contraception correctly and consistently if you are sexually active, but wish to delay or avoid pregnancy.
· Preventing injuries and considering the safety of your home and family (e.g., wear seat belt, take CPR, install and test smoke alarms).
What steps can a woman take to help ensure a healthy pregnancy?
When pregnant, it is important to consult your physician about how you can maintain a healthy diet and weight, take folic acid, be physically active, and quit any tobacco or excessive alcohol use.
Citation:
Infant Mortality. (2016). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm
How long does a full-term pregnancy last?
A full term pregnancy typically lasts between 39 and 40 weeks 6 days.
Citation:
Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from https://www.health.ny.gov/community/pregnancy/why_is_40_weeks_so_important.htm
Should pregnant women get vaccinations?
It’s important, if possible, to make sure that vaccinations are up to date before becoming pregnant since there are some vaccines, such as the rubella vaccine, that you cannot receive after you are already pregnant because it poses a threat to the fetus. Any vaccinations that have a live virus are not reccomended. However, getting the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from infection and can also help protect your baby after birth before he or she can be vaccinated. This is important because the flu and whooping cough can be particularly dangerous for infants.
Citation:
Office on Women's Health Why breastfeeding is important. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-benefits.html
Can pregnant women get STDs?
Yes, it is possible for a pregnant woman to contract an STD. While the most common STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia in any other circumstance would be easily treatable, they pose serious health consequences to the developing baby when contracted while pregnant. These problems can include preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, and low birth weight according to studies conducted by the CDC.
Why is it important for a woman to breastfeed her baby?
Breastfeeding your baby goes far beyond basic nutritional needs. In addition to possessing all of the vitamins and nutrients that a baby needs in the first six months, breast milk also has disease fighting substances that protect the baby from getting sick. The substance guards against germs that they may come into contact with and some studies have even shown that breastfeeding can reduce a child's risk of developing certain cancers. When you choose to breastfeed, you make an investment in your baby's future. Breastfeeding allows you to make the food that is perfect for your baby. Your milk gives your baby the healthy start that will last a lifetime.
Breastfeeding also:
- Protects your baby
- Benefits your health
- May make your life easier
- Benefits society
Citation:
Office on Women's Health Why breastfeeding is important. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-benefits.html