Example Messages
Message sparks for dads
- A father may receive a message saying...
Although it is noisy in here I will
be able to hear your voice from about
20 weeks. Try telling me about the things
we will do together
[Txt STOP to OptOut]
If you’ve been at work
all day you might be able to
support mum by taking me
out for a walk dad. This will
give us more time to get
to know each other.
[Txt STOP to OptOut]
Texts, which include links to online resources, also prompt
fathers to monitor health behaviours (diet, exercise, social connection)
and every three weeks fathers receive a ‘How’s it going?” interactive text.
Dads can reply with Awesome or Cool or OK or Shaky or Bad. ‘Bad’ responses
are escalated to receive a telephone call from a national perinatal mental
health help line. Fathers’ acceptance of the messages
(Texting ‘STOP’ removes participants from the program),
their use of links and response to ‘How’s it going?’ texts are recorded.
Fathers are offered an exit interview and mothers are invited to give their
perceptions of how SMS4dads worked for their partners.
MOTHERS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF SMS4dads TOO
It helped my partner to feel part of the "baby process", and that his experiences were also important.
This made for a more cohesive family unit. The messages gave us both confidence and helped to avoid
fights when extreme fatigue set in.