The FNHA is pleased to introduce a new pilot project for northern mothers. SmartMom Canada is the first Prenatal Education Program in Canada delivered to prenatal women by text messaging. SmartMom has been developed in collaboration between Northern Health Authority, Optimal Birth BC (funded by University of BC, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Alva Foundation, Peter Wall Foundation), the Ministry of Health and First Nations Health Authority. This program is being launched across the Northern region in BC.

The overall goal of the SmartMom project is to support perinatal women and families to make evidence-informed decisions to improve their health outcomes and enhance utilization of local resources and supports.

SmartMom will text you information to help guide you through every week of your pregnancy. Texts are tailored to your due date and all information is free and from health sources you can trust.

Texts link you to websites and videos on:

• How your baby is growing

• The important choices you'll face

• How to manage your labour

To Enroll:

Text "SmartMom" to 12323 or visit www.smartmomcanada.ca

You can watch a short video highlighting the development of SmartMom here.

The research group Optimal Birth BC, based out of UBC, has been leading the SmartMom project to develop, implement, and evaluate the program. Women enrolling in the program will be informed that their participation will include an invitation to join, receive prenatal education via text and receive follow up surveys to evaluate the program. Participation is voluntary and women can withdraw from the program at any time.

If you are interested in sharing information about the SmartMom program with colleagues, women and families who you work with, please feel welcome to contact Amber Hui with any requests for promotional materials that can be mailed, including:

Number of magnets needed for sharing with each prenatal woman (An estimated number of prenatal women per calendar year would be great to know)

Number of posters needed for display in each community health facility

CONTACT:

Amber Hui

Project Manager,SmartMom Canada // Research Manager, Optimal Birth BC.

University of British Columbia. BC Children's Hospital Research Institute
604.875.2314 // amber.hui@ubc.ca