Healthcare Technology and News: AT&T Supports Healthy Pregnancies with Text Messaging

Carrier AT&T is using text messaging to connect expectant mothers and families with weekly tips to support healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

 

This program, called text4baby, is a free service pregnant women across the nation. This effort is supported by other members also such as CTIA – the Wireless Association and few wireless carriers and device manufacturers.

 

The text tips will be a part of an educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) and will help expecting moms who opt in and have a wireless phone that receives texts. These health tips will vary based on the due date of participating moms.

 

If you want to use this program all you have to do is to text BABY (for English-language tips) or BEBE (for Spanish-language tips) to 511411. The subscriber to this service will get information on a weekly basis related to health and also receive medical guidance timed for that week of the pregnancy. 

 

AT&T is also collaborating with popular mom blogger Heather Spohr who was named "Best Mommy Blogger of 2009" by thebump.com, Spohr's blog, "The Spohrs Are Multiplying.”

 

"As someone who has faced difficult pregnancies I know how important being informed is to your child's well-being," said Spohr. "This is why I am thrilled to help support a program that focuses on getting as much information into the hands of expecting and new parents as quickly and easily as possible."

 

AT&T has also invited two real world expecting moms-to-be to opt in to the text4baby text tips. Nicole Anderson and Laura Hernandez will help in the promotion of the cause, and will share what they learn along the way. They have been hired by AT&T as guest bloggers for AT&T's mom blog, Calm, Cool, Connected.

 

"We believe the power of partnership and community can make an incredible difference in women's and children's lives," Judy Meehan, executive director of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, said. "Text4baby brings HMHB's mission to life and with the help of our partners, we believe we can be a strong catalyst for change."