SmartMom is an evidence-based prenatal education program designed to deliver timely pregnancy information through one-way SMS text messages. This study explored Canadian women’s preferences for receiving prenatal education by text and assessed the acceptability and usability of the SmartMom program. Researchers conducted seven qualitative focus groups with 40 women across three rural communities in northern British Columbia. Participants discussed how they searched for pregnancy information, reviewed SmartMom messages, and provided feedback on message content, relevance, usability, and their willingness to use the program. Participants found SmartMom to be highly acceptable and relevant, particularly valuing information tailored to their stage of pregnancy and local community. They also recommended optional message streams tailored to individual needs, such as depression, pregnancy after a previous cesarean, pregnancy over age 35, support for newcomers, and harm reduction related to smoking and alcohol. The findings supported the usability of SmartMom as a population-level prenatal education program and informed further development and evaluation of the service.
Publications
August 18, 2026