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AnxietyJuly 2023Summary reviewed July 2026

Phone Videos Helped High-Risk Pregnant People Better Understand Early Delivery

Pregnant people at risk of early delivery watched short animated videos on their phones about preterm birth. By 25 weeks, those who watched the videos scored 15 percentage points higher on knowledge tests and felt much more prepared to make decisions about their baby's care compared to those who received standard written materials.

What the trial was testing

The trial enrolled 175 patients with anxiety. The study was sponsored by Medical College of Wisconsin and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

Researchers followed patients through treatment and into recovery, tracking the outcomes that mattered most for the disease being studied.

What the results showed

Parents who watched the videos felt 45% more prepared to make decisions about neonatal care.

JAMA pediatrics · 2023 · NCT04093492

These findings — that parents who watched videos knew significantly more about preterm birth outcomes — were published in the JAMA pediatrics and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 175 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with anxiety, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

This video education program is not yet widely available as standard care. If you're pregnant and at risk of early delivery, ask your doctor about educational resources for preterm birth. Some hospitals may offer similar video-based programs or can point you to trusted information about what to expect.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.