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OTIS PARTNERS WITH TEXT4BABY TO HELP EDUCATE MOMS ABOUT MEDICATION USE IN PREGNANCY

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Announcement Comes During Birth Defects Prevention Month

DENTON, TX – The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a North American non-profit that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, has announced a new partnership with text4baby- the first free texting service to provide health information to pregnant women and new moms from pregnancy through a baby’s first year.

“Birth defects still affect some 160,000 children in the U.S. each year,” said Lori Wolfe, OTIS’ president. “Many of these birth defects are preventable, but many women simply don’t know which measures to take. Text4baby will help us reach these women in a whole new way, resulting in healthier babies,” she added.

Text4baby is made possible through a broad, public-private partnership that includes government, corporations, academic institutions, professional associations, non-profit organizations, and more. Founding partners include the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.

“We are thrilled that text4baby is able to connect women to OTIS and reliable information surrounding medications and pregnancy,” said Judy Meehan, CEO, National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. “Through short and easy-to-read text messages, we hope to increase awareness of this trusted resource for moms-to-be,” she explained.

In honor of National Birth Defects Prevention Month, which is recognized during January each year, OTIS is encouraging more pregnant women to sign up for text4baby through a widget placed on OTISPregnancy.org. Women can also sign up by texting "BABY" to 511411 or "BEBE" to 511411 to receive texts in Spanish.

Questions or concerns about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be directed to OTIS at 866-626-6847 or by visiting OTISPregnancy.org. The Centers for Disease Control recently recognized OTIS as its primary resource for medications in pregnancy information. Nearly 100,000 people seek information about birth defect prevention from OTIS and its affiliates every year.

******For more information or if you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Nicole Chavez at (619) 294-6262. Spanish-speaking interviews are also available.*****

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health women womens health pregnancy pregnant OTIS Studies OTIS fetus fetal health Centers for Disease Control US TX North American text4baby DENTON Organization of Teratology OTISPregnancyorg Lori Wolfe Judy Meehan National Healthy National Birth Defects Prevention Month Coalition