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Are You Pregnant or a New Mom?

Are you pregnant or a new mom? You probably have lots of questions or concerns. Your health care provider can answer questions during your prenatal or the baby's health visit. Additional information about pregnancy and infant care can be delivered to your cell phone. It's text4baby.

Text4baby helps pregnant women and new moms get information about caring for their health and giving their babies the best possible start in life.

What is text4baby?

Text4baby is a free service that provides pregnant women and new moms with free text messages each week on pregnancy and baby care. These messages are timed to a woman's due date or the baby's date of birth.

When and where did text4baby begin?

Text4baby was launched in February 2010. Since its launch:

  • Text4baby is now in all 50 states and in Washington, DC.
  • Over 281,000 have enrolled in text4baby with over 700 partners.
  • Ninety-six percent of enrollees report that they would recommend the service to a friend.

What topics do the messages cover?

  • birth defects prevention
  • breastfeeding
  • car seat safety
  • developmental milestones
  • drugs and alcohol
  • emotional well being
  • exercise and fitness
  • feedings
  • immunizations
  • labor and delivery
  • mental health
  • nutrition
  • oral health
  • prenatal care
  • safe sleep
  • stop smoking, and more.

Text4baby messages also connect women to local prenatal and infant care services and other resources.

How do I sign up?

Photo: Kiosk with tex4baby information.Sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE in Spanish) to receive free text messages each week, timed to your due date or baby's date of birth.

How long do I receive messages?

Get the messages throughout your pregnancy and your baby's first year. You can stop receiving text messages anytime by simply texting STOP to 511411.

Am I charged for the text messages?

All messages you receive from text4baby are free as long as your service provider is a mobile operator partner.

Text4baby is not to be used as a substitute for prenatal care, infant care, or any other care before, during, or after pregnancy. Your health care provider should be your first source for health information that's specific for you and your baby. Text4baby may help women care for their health and give their babies the best possible start in life.

More Information

CDC works 24/7 saving lives and protecting people from health threats to have a more secure nation. A US federal agency, CDC helps make the healthy choice the easy choice by putting science and prevention into action. CDC works to help people live longer, healthier and more productive lives.

 

CDC 24/7 - Saving Lives. Protecting People.
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  • Page last reviewed: February 6, 2012
  • Page last updated: February 28, 2012
  • Content source: CDC Office of Women's Health
  • Page maintained by: Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Division of News and Electronic Media
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov