The Problem: Gaps in Prenatal & Early Parenting Education
Access to timely, reliable, and evidence-based information during pregnancy and early parenthood remains inconsistent.
- Fewer than one-third of women attend prenatal education classes
- Many turn to online sources, which can be overwhelming and inconsistent in quality
- Only a small fraction of available apps are backed by scientific evidence
Information is often not delivered at the right time or tailored to individual needs, leaving many women insufficiently prepared to make informed decisions during pregnancy – particularly those in at-risk or underserved populations.
This gap contributes to:
- Low awareness of key health risks (e.g., only 25% of women informed about risks of inappropriate weight gain)
- Persistent misconceptions (e.g., 80% believing influenza vaccination during pregnancy causes harm)
For new parents:
- 13.1% report difficulty accessing healthcare providers
- Education programs are limited due to time, geography, and accessibility
- Parents often fell isolated, overwhelmed, and under-supported
This lack of structured, timely information can impact decision-making, health behaviors, and outcomes for both parent and child.
The challenge is delivering the right information, at the right time, in a trusted and accessible way.
What is SmartParent?
SmartParent is a text-based education and support program that provides timely, evidence-based guidance from pregnancy through the first year of parenting.
Anchored to a participant’s due date and their child’s age and stage of development, SmartParent delivers personalized messages that evolve alongside the parent’s journey.
Participants receive:
- Tailored SMS messages (up to 3 per week postpartum) aligned to pregnancy stage or child development
- Evidence-based educational content and links to trusted resources
- Guidance on topics to discuss with healthcare providers
- Connections to local services and supports
During pregnancy, the program supports:
- Knowledge development and informed decision-making
- Healthy behaviors and preparation for birth
- Emotional well-being and confidence
During early parenthood, the program supports:
- Infant care and development
- Parent well-being and adjustment
- Navigation of healthcare and community resources
Additional features include:
- Optional personalized message streams based on user-selected topics (e.g., nutrition, substance use, safety)
- Interactive elements including quizzes and educational content
- Regionally tailored messaging to reflect local resources and services
SmartParent delivers a continuous, personalized support experience from pregnancy through early parenthood.
Outcomes
Smartparent has demonstrated:
- High user satisfaction and perceived value
- 99% of participants reported the program to be useful, with information considered comprehensive and reliable
- Improved knowledge and mental health outcomes during pregnancy
- Evaluations showed improvements in knowledge, anxiety, depression, and fear of childbirth
- Increased engagement with evidence-based resources
- Supporting informed decision-making and healthy behaviors
- Scalable, population-level deployment
- Successfully implemented across multiple provincial health systems
- Improved access to timely, trusted information
- Delivering the right content at the right stage of pregnancy and early parenting
The Team
SmartParent is led by academic researchers from:
- University of British Columbia (UBC)
- Optimal Birth BC
Developed in collaboration with:
- BC Ministry of health
- BC Regional Health Authorities
- First Nations Health Authority
- Perinatal Services BC
The program is supported by a multidisciplinary team including nurses, midwives, physicians, pediatricians, psychologists, researchers, and policy experts.
SmartParent has been endorsed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.