Information is power as they say, and this is rarely ever more true than when pregnant. An expecting mother who is informed about how to be healthy when pregnant greatly improves her chances of having a healthy baby. After everything I’ve been through these last few years, I know just how important that is. So, when I was approached with an amazing opportunity to help AT&T spread the word about text4baby, a new service the White House is launching that could improve the lives of millions of Americans, I immediately pledged to help. It is a cause so near and dear to me.
The text4baby campaign is a nationwide effort to give expectant and new mothers information that promotes healthy pregnancies – and healthy babies – via text messaging. It is totally free, and once registered an expectant mother (“or father!” Mike just yelled across the room) will receive three free text messages a week with health tips specifically tailored to the stage of their baby’s development. So, if you are two months pregnant, you will be texted info about being healthy when two months pregnant, or if you have a two month old, you will be texted info about your two month old. As your pregnancy advances or your child gets older, so will the information texted to you, and it will continue to do so all the way through your baby’s first birthday.
This service is so important because, shockingly, America has one of the highest infant-mortality rates in the industrialized world. Each year more than 500,000 of our babies (one in eight) are born prematurely, and about 28,000 infants die before their first birthday. These statistics don’t have to be so dire…by literally putting health information at the fingertips of expectant and new families, we are empowering them to give their babies the best possible start in life.
As you all know, Madeline was born premature, and one of the reasons she passed away was because of “complications related to prematurity.” So if you are pregnant or a new parent, please sign up for text4baby by texting the word “baby” or “bebe” to 511411. If you’re not pregnant, please help to spread the word. (a press release with more info on text4baby can be read here.) The more parents this information reaches, the more babies will make it to full term, and that is something we can all be proud of.
Everyone deserves a healthy little baby like this:
{ 127 comments… read them below or add one }
I will be spreading this to my expectant friends asap.
That is of course if I don’t die of the cute in that picture.
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Meets or exceeds expectations =-.
I love how they lay just like they do inside. You and Mike rock.
What a fantastic idea! I will pass it along to friends! That Annie is gorgeous!
What a wonderful tool. Thanks for sharing.
Amazing idea I just marvel at where you find the time at this stage in your life. Kudos. Keep posting the beautiful photos !
.-= habanerogal´s last blog ..On Resolutions =-.
What a great idea and cause to support! I LOVE the new picture of Annie sleeping all curled up in a cozy little baby ball.
What a fantastic idea. I hope our country (Australia) can do something similar. There are also far too many babies stillborn – latest stats here were 1 in 134 and that stat is pretty similar for the US. A lot of those babies are dying at or close to full term at the end of healthy pregnancies. Hopefully more of these babies can be saved too, like my precious first born daughter.
Great work, Heather. And Annie is so gorgeous.
.-= Sally´s last blog ..That girl =-.
Wow – those stats are SCARY!!! What amazing woman you are…
I have a few friends who have preemie babies now. It always amazes me how much time they find to devote to helping out at the hospital and doing things for other people to help with a similar situation – one of them sews clothing for the NICU at the hospital where her daughter was born 10 weeks premature (AND working almost full time, and looking after her beautiful girl). Meanwhile, I have a perfectly healthy, amazingly active child who was born 5 days overdue and I barely have time to scratch myself, clean the house, cook dinner, anything. You all make me aspire to be a better person.
And wow at Annabel. She is getting prettier and prettier every day =) Wow!
Hugs
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Our new cat! =-.
Bless her little heart.. This is such a beautiful photo, and your so right everyone does deserve a beautiful healthy baby like Annie, I’m so glad she is yours – you and Mike truly deserve her, she’s a little dote!!!
Annie looks a lot less jaundiced today! Hooray!
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..No Snoring in the library. Please. =-.
Look at that mini-Mike! She is so perfect.
I love it, Mini Mike!
What a gorgeous picture of her!!
That’s great, I hope there is a strong PSA campaign about this too! I will pass along.
.-= Vaness´s last blog ..Backward, Forward =-.
what a great program!
That baby is DELICIOUS.
xo from CT,
Amanda
.-= amanda´s last blog ..easy like Sunday morning =-.
Heather, you neaver cease to amaze me with your positive energy and the way you challenge this energy to promote the causes you believe in.
I know I have said this so many times before, but you really are such an inspiration. You are an amazing lady with an amazing heart. What a fantastic campaign you are helping with.
I just love today’s photo of your Miss Annie, she is so adorable and I love to hear the joy she is bringing to you and Mike.
Sending you lots of love from afar
Erica in Luxembourg
that sounds like a great initiative.
annie is beautiful & it’s been said before but i have to repeat she’s a mini mike for now. (they change so fast)
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..four beautiful ones =-.
What a wonderful idea, Heather (& Mike, too!) How comforting to have all of that very important info at your fingertips!! Annie looks like a gorgeous little package,,,all snuggled up like that, and just needs a big pink ribbon to wrap her up. What a gorgeous, gorgeous little gift she is!!! Absolutely precious!!
Hooray, Annie is looking great!
Sounds like a great campaign. I’m glad you are spreading the word!
That child is just SCRUMPTIOUS.
The text4babies programs sounds like an excellent program. I’m glad you’re passing the word along!
.-= Ruth´s last blog ..Found and done =-.
wonderful program, beeeeautiful baby!
Great idea! I shared it on my blog.
.-= Mim´s last blog ..Keeping Moms and Babies Healthy- A Public Service Announcement =-.
What a great idea! I would have really enjoyed that during pregnancy and the first year.
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Hippos and Baldies =-.
What a cool idea! I will pass it on. Annie is looking beautiful! You guys make pretty babies!
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..A Nana Times 4… =-.
Um…hey Heather, I hope you don’t mind me asking this, because I don’t technically know you, but is having Annie in the house making it any easier for you that Maddie’s gone? Not because you would miss her any less, of course, but because now you have something else to think about?
No, the opposite. I’ll be writing about it at some point when I can find the words.
My heart breaks just thinking of your pain. ((Hugs)) from a “stranger-friend” (borrowing a term from Matt’s blog).
Sometimes, like so many others, I can’t say to you what I want to say in a way that I don’t question over and over, because I don’t want to hurt you . At all ever. But I’m going to try. Your response above doesn’t surprise me at all. I’ve been worrying about you. I’m so happy to see your joy and Mike’s joy over Annie shine through in these posts the last few weeks. IIt’s beautiful and happy and pure. But I wish your joy was uncomplicated and whole. I know there is still so much hurt and so many what ifs that you will have forever. Just know we love ya out here. Watch out for diving hormones lady. Hugs.
I so wish there was a cure for your broken heart.
i will definitely spread the word. What a great idea.
Could that baby be any cuter???
Thank You.
.-= charlane´s last blog ..The Stats =-.
What a great idea! I will pass it along. Annie is just adorable. I love newborn pictures when they’re all curled up like that
I am not pregnant but will definitely spread the word.
Can I have a poster sized print of that adorable pic of Annie???
.-= Java´s last blog ..Strained Marriage =-.
Excellent idea!! I will definitely spread the word. Is it just me, or does this baby get cuter by the day??????
Thanks for sharing!!!
Jenn
1. That’s a great idea. I wonder if they will come up with a (non-spammy) Twitter campaign…
2. That’s an adorable picture. Oh my goodness.
Thanks for sharing with us!
.-= red pen mama´s last blog ..Lost: LAX =-.
Great tool! OMG – Annie is the most beautiful baby! You should be very proud of yourself!!
My “baby” turns two tomorrow. Seeing the picture of Annie make me want another, but sadly, that is not possible.
I bet you kiss her so much her skin is sore! LOL. She is a cutie patootie! I want to eat her up!
Hi,
where did you find that expression? “I want to eat her up”.
I have heard it only once before and I am trying to find out what the idiom for this expression is.
thanks.
I think its a fantastic idea and I will DEFINITELY be sharing with my friends!
BUT – although the service is free, you may want to remind people that they will be charged for text messages by their cellular carrier if they don’t have a text package! (just so someone doesn’t yell at you later on for getting charged .10 per message if they didn’t know any better!)
.-= Jess´s last blog ..#34/#365 =-.
Actually, they won’t be charged – all carriers are waiving fees. So, whether you have a messaging plan or if it *would* be an a la carte text, you should not be charged. It also won’t count against your monthly plan’s “quota” of texts if you have a messaging plan. Think of it like the promotional texts you get from your provider that are free!
Well that is awesome!!
.-= Jess´s last blog ..#34/#365 =-.
What a great idea. Beautiful photo!
I had to go back and re-read your post, cause after I saw that BEAUTIFUL picture, I forgot everything I had just read!!!
What a precious, precious gift from God Annie is, and I will definitely spread the word about the text4baby!
Me, too! How funny, but I had to go back and read it again because as soon as I saw the picture of Annie, mind had a short circuit or something. She is just so beautiful its distracting, isnt it??!! Heather, I’m sad to read your comment that it isn’t getting any easier but I will say I’m not surprised. I bet there is just a whole bunch of emotions working through you right now, plus all the hormones can’t be helping. It’s a bittersweet time. Hugs to you from yet another stranger-friend:)
Amazing cause, and once again, I’m wowed by your strength in helping others. I’ll definitely pass along.
Love love LOVE the picture of Annie. And she’s not yellow! Simply gorgeous.
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
I am sure you have already heard this many times, but OH MY GOSH!!!! She looks JUST LIKE your husband!
Excellent. Signing up today.
(And such a darling picture!)
.-= J´s last blog ..Coaching, shopping, and cheating =-.
That is awesome! Congrats on your being asked to participate in that program – I will spread the word, and hopefully I will be prego soon so I can use the service!
Thanks so much for this information! I just signed up for it, and will be passing it along to others who are expecting.
.-= Jennifer A.´s last blog ..Potty Training =-.
This is awesome and so is that picture of Annie. Wow – she is so beautiful!!
Hugs to you all.
Jocelyn
that’s such a great concept! And Annie looks so cute all curled up like a little kidney bean!!
That picture of Annabell looks like it’s from one of those Anne Gelles photos. How perfectly adorable! And what a service you have given, to publicize Text4Baby. Thank you.
How are you feeling Heather?
Annie is Amazing!
<3
Gosh! Could she look more like her Daddy?
I heard about this program yesterday and wrote a quick post encouraging my readers to learn more about it and sign up. Later I read an article that said you would be helping spread the word. I was so happy to hear that. I think your reach is fantastic and that moms will listen to you and sign up. I hope this program does just what it hopes and helps more babies be born healthy and on time.
Love and hugs.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..New Text4Baby Campaign =-.
Just a little side note. Our stats are so sad looking beacauae each country gets to define what a “baby” is. For some countries that means a baby isn’t a baby until they are three days old. So, God forbid, if something happens before the baby is born or within the first two days they don’t count it in the stats. When you use the same rules to count these horrible events, the US is even with everyone else. We just count each baby, before birth, hours after birth, a day after birth – each baby is counted (as they should be).
Thanks for sharing! My husband and I plan on trying soon
Little A is just precious!
I am spreading the word for healthy babies! What an important message to spread!
I have never posted before, but have been following for quite a while. I am so happy for you and Mike and your new little one! She is beautiful, and I imagine Maddie watching over all of you and keeping you safe.
I wasn’t aware the prematurity rate was so high! It’s really astonishing–thank you for posting this and opening my eyes!
Kate
I will pass it on!
Awesome!
(((HUGS))) from Florida
Good for you! Well said.
And I didn’t think it was possible for you to make another child as beautiful as Madeline but you’ve done it again. Two perfect daughters! Well done
Great idea, as soon as I figure out what I did with my phone I’m texting them.
…found it in my pocket. Texting now!
.-= Virginia´s last blog ..Oh it’s winter alright =-.
boy, does she look like her daddy! she’s darling and thank you for spreading the word on the campaign. you’re doing your daughters proud.
I will definitely pass this along!! She sleeps like a little frog!
That’s a great service! My hospital does something similar — throughout the entire pregnancy, I get a weekly e-mail from them and it gives a ton of information for expectant parents. Then, you can sign up to continue receiving the e-mails (geared towards baby care) once the baby is here.
.-= Sarah R´s last blog ..I’m going to do cloth again! =-.
Hi!
First of all, I love your blog and both of your girls are just so beautiful
I’m from Norway, and this type of texting is been done here since 2000
Take a look at this article: http://www.babymedia.no/babymedia_site/innhold/pressemeldinger/jordmor_siri_von_krogh_foerst_med_sms_tjeneste_for_gravide
(I used the ‘Google translater’ here, cause the article was written in Norwegian of course. The translation isn’t quite so good, but you get the idea)
I’ve been following your blog for almost a year now and this is the first time I leave a comment! About time;)
You seems like an incredible strong woman:)
Greetings from Norway
i love that picture. she’s so pretty and so perfect.
I’m finding myself a Sugar Daddy to fly me out to California tomorrow so I can smoosh on that baby.
.-= Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]´s last blog ..I’m pretty sure this meme is how Third Eye Blind did it. =-.
It’s so very cool that we can use technology to our advantage like this. I hope that many, many mamas take advantage of it.
I will post about this on my own blog later today.
Oh, and I might just put Annie in my pocket…she’s so freaking yummy!!! My ovaries are still aching!
.-= JennK´s last blog ..Fat camp, day 6. =-.
Good for you for spreading the word, Mama Spohr. Each and every day, you make your daughters so proud of all that you do!!!!
This is a dumb question, but is the service just for AT&T customers- or all cell service carriers? Just wondering!
nope! It’s for anyone that has a cell phone that can receive text messages!
Oh lord, the little curled up froggy legs when sleeping? I DIE from the cuteness.
That’s a really great cause. And they were lucky to score themselves a pretty fabulous spokesperson.
.-= cindy w´s last blog ..drowning =-.
i think this is great and i would have benefited from that when i was pregnant. granted, my baby was born healthy BUT it would have been nice to get little updates on my phone too! you’re a great person heather and you do so much good
annie is gorgeous.
.-= Becky @TheRealBecks´s last blog ..Twitter advice =-.
Annie looks like a little bean in this picture. too cute!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Daily Grace =-.
That picture is so beautiful. She is pure sweetness.
This is fantastic! I haven’t been able to find info on this anywhere, I’m working on projects to reduce the number of pregnant women that smoke and hope to replicate the text4baby for that project. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to hearing more!
.-= Beth (Mackattack)´s last blog ..Running Fool =-.
Awesome photo! I remember something like this posted on a writer’s board – they were looking for a name for the concept. I’m sure it was this concept. Text4baby is perfect.
.-= Patti McKenna´s last blog ..My Response to The Good Wife’s Guide =-.
You are so awesome!!
((HUGS))
You’re amazing, heather! Great info and service and thank you for working to give other moms the increased chance for a healthy baby! Today is my daughter’s first birthday and I thank God everyday that she was born healthy and safe.
That pic of Annabel is SO precious and beautiful. I miss those newborn days…wait…do I? lol.
Wow. I read the entie post really thinking about the numbers you brought up and how important this is and then I got to the picture of Annie and I totally loat it and burst into tears…..at work. Lovely. She is stunning!
I happen to have a friend who currently is 2 weeks away from her due date! I will send this information to her.
Annie looks so peaceful and sweet all curled up on the chair or couch, wherever she is laying. I sure hope she keeps that beautiful black hair!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Heather, you continue to amaze me! Annabel is adorably gorgeous. I want to send her hugs! Have a great weekend w/ your beautiful baby! and of course MIKE
and Rigby lol 
Heather/Mike,
I wanted to share this quote with you that Rusty/Lynette had on their blog site. They are the ones I emailed you about, who are/were missionaries in Thailand, had their baby at 28 weeks and lost her at 4 months of age. Lynette found this quote “somewhere.” I thought about you too when I read it. It’s so beautiful.
“You will lose someone you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly—that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp.”
— Anne Lamott
So very true for anyone else who has lost a dear one.
That’s such a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Love that photo.
.-= Issa´s last blog ..Divorce 101 =-.
I love your dedication and commitment to healthy babies. You are an inspiration! Annie is absolutely adorable!
Oh what a wonderful service and what a beautiful picture. Makes me want to have a baby again just to take all these wonderful pictures you are showing us. I love them. Congrats again – she is soooo perfect!
She is just so beautiful! Congratulations and give her a cuddle for me! (too creepy – from a total stranger???)
OH MY GOD. How can you possibly let her sleep when she’s so cute?? How do you not just love her up with kisses every single minute?? She is absolutely adorable.
Heather, Mike and Annabel,
I am a lurker, not sure how or even why I found the Spohrs…but I love em! I am a pediatric oncology nurse. I have seen so many parents suffer the loss of their beloved little one…it is agony. It is for this reason that I always stand in awe of those who take that pain and sorrow and yearn for something better, to protect other parents from the nightmare they wake up to every day! I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious Maddie…she is a beauty! And an “inspohration” and a reminder to find what is good in this life. Thanks for the work you do on her behalf and the countless other babies who will be effected by your wilingness to try to make change.
I am very happy for you and the new arrival. Your Annabel is breathtaking…she is joy and healing and life all rolled up in a scrumpcious little bundle…with a boatload of hair might I add…she is delicous. Enjoy every last ounce of her!
Really is a great idea. Off to tweet.
.-= Zakary´s last blog ..We’re All In This Together =-.
My brother’s lovely wife is at Cedar Siani right now, about to give birth to their first baby. I’ll make sure they sign up for this just as soon as things settle down.
Side note: OMG, I’m so excited to be a first-time auntie!!!
.-= Georgia´s last blog ..I’ll Pass =-.
She is must more adorable everyday.
*just*
I will be sure to share the word! (possibly in Haiku form)
.-= Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..Although the miles will separate us, my heart will be with him =-.
i work for an HMO that delivers over 350 babies per year – I ma chyecking to see if they will promote this – good work!
sorry about all of the typos – geez!
She looks so much like Mike!
I wanted to also add that the service can help with Postpartum Depression. It’s not just for baby information. Both are equally important!
.-= Pamela @ 2 Much Testosterone´s last blog ..Raise your hand if you hate dolls! =-.
She really gets to be more and more gorgeous. Everyday.
.-= rachel´s last blog ..Home, Sweet Home =-.
What an awesome idea! I’ll do my best to spread the news. And Annie is – breathtaking!
Great tool! I will definitely spread the word.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Limerick for my Thug Sista =-.
First, the picture of Annie is absolutely gorgeous!
Second, I am in week 31 of a so far relatively uneventful pregnancy (which is good since I am 40 years old). I just signed up for the service and thought I’d pass along that signing up consisted of 3 back and forth messages (asking if you are pregnant or new parent, since pregnant asking for due date, finalizing registration with my zip code) followed by receiving 2 texts from them immediately. The process took less than 2 minutes for the back and forth.
Thank you for your diligence in trying to help other mothers and fathers not experience the sorrow you and Mike have had to live with since April.
Great program – thanks for spreading the info! And that pic…oh, those gorgeous pink lips, that glorious head of hair, that sweet little body – your Annabel is truly spectacular. Your daughters are both so, so beautiful.
Thinking of you across the country,
MommaLionessMichele
.-= MommaLionessMichele´s last blog ..Me & My Mac: We’re Ba-ack! =-.
Cutest text service ever!! I can’t wait to get pregnant and sign up!
Just because it never gets old saying and I’m sure you continue to love hearing/reading it….She Is So Precious!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..The Sunny Sun =-.
That photo is sooooooo precious!!! Annabel is such a pretty baby. … I’ll pass the word along to the people I know who might get pregnant. I don’t have any pregnant family/friends now, but that is good info to know that you have shared here.
I’m not pregnant, nor do I have children but if you keep on posting photos like that, I’m going to need Text4baby REAL soon!
.-= Laney´s last blog ..It’s apparently Cute Coat Day on my blog today because… =-.
Other countries measure “infant-mortality rates” differently. A baby who does not survive the first 24 hours is often not considered “alive” to be in the statistics. I do not feel it is fair to compare the US healthcare system to other countries where it is not statistically accurate.
On a more pleasant note – I am so happy for you! She is gorgeous and I know you are WONDERFUL parents to her. She is a lucky little girl.
thanks for that info! My sister in law has had many issues getting pregnant,. and is finally 11weeks after IVF, this info will be quite helpful for first time mommies and daddies..not to mention 2nd time parents that need that reminder. Great post!
Annie looks like a beautiful female version of her daddy.
Hope you’re feeling better! I had to laugh today while watching the TODAY SHOW because they just did a bit on staples vs stitches with csections. According to studies it’s better recovery with less complications with stitches..
e
I am swooning over that picture. Seriously I think the world population is going to quadruple if you keep showing these pictures. Be more responsible would you
But in all seriousness what a wonderful idea and who better to spread the word. I am going to a baby shower for a new Mom in a couple of days but as I am in Canada I expect this service isn’t available.
Okay, maybe that was a BIT of an exaggeration since it wouldn’t be humanly possible for it to quadruple but you get my meaning
Thank you Heather for all that you do for premature babies and thier families. For educating people that have never had to deal with a high-risk pregnancy, long stays in the NICU, and multiple hospital stays with thier kids.
I had triplets that were born at 30 weeks and one spent almost 4 months in the NICU and spent most of his first year in and out of the hospital. Although he is healthy and perfect in my eyes, he will always be different from others his age.
P.S. I am so in love with you baby. She is so so precious.
Text4Baby is just about the best idea I’ve heard in a long, long time. This is wonderful, and I will definitely spread the word!
Those statistics are heartbreaking. Text4baby sounds like an awesome idea and I am glad that the White House and of course you (of course YOU would be) behind this. ;o)
That picture of Annie is precious! I will definately spread the word 28,000 babies die before their first birthday – I had no idea.
Great program, most adorable baby!! I love seeing her all curled up like that.
You are doing so much to ensure that all babies are born healthy. You are amazing!
That’s a wonderful thing you are doing, Heather.
And that is a gorgeous pictures of a gorgeous baby. <3
.-= Kellee´s last blog ..Can I Get A Mulligan? =-.
annie looks so much like mike in this picture. adorable!
A slice of heaven…..
Oh that was the best end to a great message!!!!
I love the pictures of Annie
I am not preggers but my sister is and we are Catholic so about 57 other people I know are preggers too!!!
What an awesome idea!
.-= Nanette´s last blog ..Project 365 – the unpretty version =-.
So grateful for you to get this info out! I’m going to be sure to pass it along!
Your little girl is just adorable! Thank you for sharing her with us.
)
You’ve got yourself a small, dark and beautiful little girl! What an absolute knockout. Congratulations. I’m wishing you all the joy in the world, and peace like a river.
I have visited your site many times and never leave without first shedding some (okay, many) tears and then feeling inspired to go kiss and hug and be the best mother I can be to my two precious girls. I do not know what gives you the strength to endure what you have, as I cannot imagine losing one of my babies, but you are truly incredible people and I am so happy to read about lovely, wonderful, perfect Annabel (who looks very much like my little Margaret).
Thank you for supporting this important effort. I will pass along this information to all of my expectant friends.
Delurking to say that is the most precious picture…….she’s beautiful.
She’s too cute!
Thanks for sharing that important information!
Anna is beautiful!
As I mentioned yesterday, she was looking a bit jaundiced on Monday, so we had some blood work done to test the level of bilirubin in her system.
I have read your posts so many times, and again let me tell you how I admire you for your strength and wisdom not to many of us have.
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