Ascension Saint Agnes hosts free baby shower for new parents, babies support

A free baby fair at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore went far beyond handouts. More than 120 families came through the hospital’s Alagia Auditorium on Friday, April 24, 2026, for diapers, wipes, baby clothing, formula, fresh produce, bottles, car seats, breast pumps and other supplies aimed at parents who may not be able to build a starter kit on their own.

The setup mattered as much as the giveaways. Ascension said OB-GYNs and certified nurse-midwives were on hand to answer questions about prenatal care, labor and delivery, childbirth education, breastfeeding support, and specialized care for high-risk pregnancies and neonatal needs. Families also met doulas, took part in exercise demonstrations focused on safe pregnancy, and joined games, raffles, prize drawings and other interactive activities.

The event drew on a broad mix of donors, with items coming from hospital staff, friends, family members and former patients who wanted to give back. That kind of community stockpile fills a real gap for many new parents, especially those dealing with unstable housing or tight budgets, where basics like diapers and a safe car seat can be a financial hurdle before a baby is even born.

Lesley Wallace, Ascension Saint Agnes’ vice president of population health, said the fair was part of an ongoing effort to expand access to care, education and support for families. Shannon Jones, community engagement manager for Maryland Physicians Care, said the event helped connect families to care, education and resources for a healthy start.

The baby fair also fits into a wider policy push in Maryland. The Maryland Maternal Health Act of 2024, signed by Governor Wes Moore, requires an annual report card for birthing facilities. Maryland Medicaid has covered doula and birth worker services since Feb. 21, 2022, recognizing doulas as trained professionals who provide physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after birth.

Baltimore City has been building around that same idea for years through B’more for Healthy Babies, which launched in 2009. City data says Baltimore’s infant mortality rate has fallen 39% from the initiative’s start through 2022, even as racial gaps in maternal outcomes remain stubborn. At Ascension Saint Agnes, the baby fair turned that broader public-health agenda into something immediate: diapers in hand, questions answered, and a hospital doorway opened wider for families who need more than a celebration.