Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra has unveiled a new initiative: “Text4baby,†a free mobile information service designed to promote maternal and child health.According to the program’s site, it is an educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby provides pregnant women and new moms with information they need to take care of their health and give their babies the best possible start in life. Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 will receive free SMS text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth.
Johnson & Johnson is the founding sponsor, and premier sponsors include WellPoint, Pfizer and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. U.S. government partners include the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services. The mobile health platform is provided by Voxiva and free messaging services are generously provided by participating wireless service providers. Implementation partners include BabyCenter, Danya International, Syniverse Technologies, Keynote Systems and The George Washington University.
Once registered, the user will start receiving free messages with tips for their pregnancy and caring for the new baby. These messages are timed to the due date or the baby’s birth date. Should the due date change, you can text UPDATE to 511411 and enter a new due date.