To further prove just how digital our world has become, the White House announced the launch of a new mobile health service for pregnant women and new moms that distributes helpful tips timed to their pregnancy or age of baby a text.
Text4baby is an educational program that was spearheaded by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, which is a resource in maternal and child health.
Expectant and new moms can sign up for text4baby by texting BABY to 511411 or BEBE for Spanish. Upon signing up, moms and moms to be will receive three free SMS texts each week in conjunction that correlate with the progress of their pregnancy or baby’s age. Going even further, the government said text4baby can also connect women to local clinics and support service for prenatal and infant care.
During my pregnancy, like many of my mom friends, I subscribed to a litany of baby and pregnancy sites. Every day it seemed I was greeted with a new update to stalk my pregnancy, and more importantly, comfort every feeling of certainty. I learned so much of the natural progression of my pregnancy from reading explanations on email or online.
Unfortunately, not everyone has daily access or awareness of these online resources, which is why I think Text4baby is an innovative initiative for the government. I think this is a super smart, free and accessible service that leverages texting to help inform and educate.
According to the White House, research shows that 90 percent of Americans have a mobile phone, and texting is more prevalent among women of childbearing age and minority populations who face higher infant mortality rates.
This service reaches out to all walks of life, including those who probably don’t have many reliable resources available.
Text4baby is free and participating carriers include: Alltel, Assurance Wireless, AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cellular South, Cellcom, Centennial Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Metro PCS, N-Telos, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile USA.
