Part II: Texting Can Help Expectant Mothers Prepare Themselves

Texting isn't just for communication. Texting apps that provide helpful information, tips, and other resources have been found to significantly improve the confidence of expectant mothers, according to a new study.

In a study published in the journal Medicinal Internet Research, researchers from the Milken Institute School of Public Health (MIPH) sought to assess the effectiveness of a pregnancy preparedness app called Text4baby.

The app serves as a free mobile health information service of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), and was designed to help expecting mothers feel more prepared to take care of their child once he or she is finally born.

Mothers can search the app and submit inquiries to address questions concerning hot topic issues such as prenatal health care, the risk of alcohol use during pregnancy and the importance of prenatal vitamins.

In a study of 943 pregnant women, researchers found that women who used Text4baby were nearly three times more likely to believe that they were prepared to be new mothers, compared to women who did not use the app.

These women also had what the authors described as "improved" beliefs about prenatal care factors.

According to study leader W. Douglas Evans, while it would be difficult to measure the actual preparedness of these mothers, the results do show that the program is quite therapeutic, giving expecting mothers the confidence they need.

The study also "advances knowledge of the effects of mobile health programs," Evans said in a statement - supporting the idea that the phones so deeply embedded in our lives can help improve them beyond the communicative sense.

Another recent study conducted by the MIPH assessed the effectiveness of a texting app designed to help smokers quit. You can read more about the results of that study here.