Sending supportive text messages to pregnant women can improve prenatal and postnatal care, according to a new study published in The Female Patient, FierceMobileHealthcare reports (Jackson, FierceMobileHealthcare, 2/3).
Researchers from Partners HealthCare's Center for Connected Health noted that sending texts might be a low-cost way to communicate with pregnant women through a medium they prefer (Partners HealthCare release, 2/2).
Study Details
Researchers sent text messages three times per week to 25 pregnant women ages 14 through 34.
The messages included reminders and information on:
- Clinical milestones;
- Prenatal appointments;
- Fetal development;
- Childbirth preparation (FierceMobileHealthcare, 2/3); and
- Newborn and postpartum care.
Study Findings
The study found that:
- 100% of the participants who received text messages read them;
- 95% said they found the texts helpful; and
- 84% said the texts helped teach them how to take care of themselves and their infants (Partners HealthCare release, 2/2).