Jeanne Watson and her baby Lilah, who was born in October 2011. Watson says she’s gotten some great health tips from the Text4baby text messaging service. | Photo Credit: Kenny Goldberg
By Kenny Goldberg
People can use their cell phones to do almost anything these days, from finding a good restaurant, to paying their bills. An emerging service in San Diego is using cell phones to help mothers-to-be have a healthy pregnancy.
When Jeanne Watson was about six months pregnant, a nurse at the clinic told her about theText4baby program. Women who sign up for the free service get three health-related text messages per week on their mobile phone.
Watson said she’s sold on it.
“I always have my phone with me, and I’m always going through my text messages,” Watson said. “So even if I forget to read it or something, I can go back and it’s there. And it’s always with me on my phone. Or if I’m at a doctor’s appointment and I don’t remember what it reminded me for, I can just go back.
“What we’ve learned is that are many folks who don’t have access to computers, or don’t use computers often, (may) have a high use of text messaging,” said Barbara Mandel of the San Diego County Medical Society.
The target audience is young, low-income expectant mothers. The messages are available in English or Spanish.