ACOG Announces Partnership With Text4baby

Washington, DC -- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) has signed on as a national partner and key content reviewer for text4baby, the first free health texting service for pregnant women and new moms nationwide. A program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby sends weekly messages directly to the mobile phones of the women who have joined.

“The majority of reproductive-age women have access to a cell phone, which makes text4baby a great vehicle to get important health messages across,” said Gerald F. Joseph, MD, The College’s vice president for practice activities. “Messages include reminders to wear seat belts and to avoid alcohol, and also include free hotlines that provide assistance on quitting smoking and breastfeeding.”

“Text4baby has helped 300,000 women in the US care for their own health and get their babies off to a healthy start in life,” said James N. Martin, Jr, MD, ACOG president. “Being informed is the best way to get ready for your baby, ease your mind, and know what to expect from your body. Text4baby is a truly valuable resource, and we are proud to be a part of this innovative program.”

Launched in February 2010, text4baby has sent more than 29 million maternal and child health texts to its subscribers. Pregnant women and new moms can sign up by texting “BABY” (or “BEBE” for Spanish-language content) and entering either their expected due date or newborn’s age. Enrollees will receive three health-related text messages per week, with tailored content for pregnancy or the baby’s first year. Text4baby is made possible through a public-private partnership that includes HMHB, Voxiva, CTIA-The Wireless Foundation, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, US Department of Health and Human Services, Grey Healthcare Group, and founding sponsor Johnson & Johnson.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), a 501(c)(3) organization, is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of approximately 55,000 members, The College strongly advocates for quality health care for women, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members, promotes patient education, and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women’s health care. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a 501(c)(6) organization, is its companion organization. www.acog.org

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