Welcome to the Stork's Nest Prenatal Education Curriculum
The Stork's Nest Prenatal Education Curriculum is designed to help women learn how to have the healthiest pregnancy possible; it is a tool for providing the educational sessions that are an essential component of every Nest. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the March of Dimes have worked together to create a curriculum that meets the needs of women who participate in Stork's Nests across the country. Together with the incentives offered by the Stork's Nest, the Prenatal Education Curriculum plays an important role in making sure that pregnant women make the right choices for themselves and their babies.

The Goals of the Curriculum
The goals of the Prenatal Education Curriculum mirror those of the overall program:

• To increase the number of women getting early and regular prenatal care
• To give pregnant women and their partners information about medical and lifestyle issues related to a healthy pregnancy
• To promote the adoption of healthy behaviors during pregnancy

These goals are met through seven sessions that provide the basic information pregnant women need to know to take care of themselves and avoid the dangers of low birthweight, birth defects and other potential problems their babies could face. The sessions detailed in this curriculum are straightforward and interactive, making them both educational and enjoyable for participants, regardless of background or education level.

The Session Plans
This curriculum is a simple guide to implementing the following seven sessions on prenatal health:

1. The Stork's Nest and You
Overview of the Stork's Nest program and the importance of prenatal care
2. Keeping Yourself Healthy
Things you can do to keep yourself healthy during pregnancy, including exercise, stress management and avoiding harmful diseases
3. Eating for Two
How to eat a healthy prenatal diet on a budget, plus weight gain during pregnancy
4. The No's of Pregnancy: Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
Effects of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances on the developing fetus
5. Warning Signs: What to Watch for
How to distinguish common problems from serious warning signs of preterm labor and other complications
6. The Big Day
Labor, delivery and postpartum issues
7. Caring for Your Baby
Preparing for the baby, including basic baby care