AI Texting Platform for Pregnancy Care

(CIRCA Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

Disqualifiers: Non-pregnant, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new AI-based texting platform designed to provide pregnant individuals with early advice and support before starting prenatal care. The platform aims to guide users in managing concerns and reducing unnecessary emergency room visits. Participants will text with an AI system, overseen by clinicians, to receive help with early pregnancy care. This trial suits those who are pregnant and plan to receive care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania or its emergency department. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative healthcare solutions and receive early support during pregnancy.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this texting platform is safe for pregnancy care?

Research shows that the AI texting platform, CIRCA, is user-friendly and problem-free. In past studies, this platform helped manage early pregnancy care by sending helpful information and providing doctor-verified answers to patients' questions. No problems have been reported from using this platform. It is designed to safely guide users and help reduce unnecessary emergency room visits. As a digital tool, it avoids the physical risks associated with medications or medical procedures. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the AI Texting Platform for pregnancy care because it offers a new, tech-driven approach to support early pregnancy management. Unlike traditional methods that rely on in-person visits or phone calls, this platform allows patients to text with a secure AI system, ensuring quick and convenient access to guidance. With clinician oversight and predetermined algorithms, it aims to streamline the triage process, potentially saving time and resources for both patients and healthcare providers. This innovation could make pregnancy care more accessible and responsive, especially for those who may face barriers to frequent clinic visits.

What evidence suggests that this texting platform is effective for early pregnancy care?

Research has shown that AI texting platforms like CIRCA, which participants in this trial will use, can be helpful in early pregnancy care. Studies have found that these platforms assist in managing concerns by providing reliable information verified by healthcare professionals. They have successfully encouraged pregnant women to seek care and increased their knowledge. Some AI tools can also predict risks during pregnancy, which is important for early action. These platforms aim to reduce unnecessary emergency visits by directing patients to the appropriate care. Overall, using AI in pregnancy care holds promise for improving patient involvement and care quality. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals early in pregnancy who are seeking to engage in care before their prenatal visits start. It aims to help manage concerns and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits.

Inclusion Criteria

Pregnant

Seeking to establish care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Seeking care in the Emergency Department or Perinatal Evaluation Center.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Engagement

Participants engage with the CIRCA system to receive early pregnancy care and triage concerns

Up to 3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after engagement with the CIRCA system

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Texting platform

Trial Overview

The study is testing a conversational AI via a texting platform designed to assist patients during the periconception period by providing timely information and triaging any issues.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CIRCA Texting Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be invited to text with a secure, closed artificial intelligence system with clinician oversight to triage patients along predetermined algorithms related to early pregnancy care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Memora Health Inc

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

150+

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07197892

Conversational AI Platform for Early Pregnancy Care City- ...

CIRCA is a two-way texting platform that uses artificial intelligence to match patient texts to clinician-vetted responses and send educational content. ...

2.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-pregnancy-loss-early-7-2024-65f8e

AI Texting Platform for Pregnancy Care (CIRCA Trial)

This trial is for individuals early in pregnancy who are seeking to engage in care before their prenatal visits start. It aims to help manage concerns and ...

3.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12453038/

Research Progress and Clinical Implications of Generative ...

In remote monitoring, AI analyzes fetal heart rate variability parameters in real time via wearables: When late decelerations persist ≥3 times/ ...

4.

obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijgo.70455

Using artificial intelligence as a technological tool in ...

A study highlights several applications of AI, such as predicting risks during pregnancy based on nursing records and maternal age. These tools ...

5.

bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com

bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-024-06373-7

Exploring the implementation of an SMS-based digital health ...

This research demonstrates that a digital health tool can be used to improve care-seeking and knowledge levels among pregnant and postnatal women in informal ...

6.

jacarandahealth.org

jacarandahealth.org/prompts/

Prompts

The platform improves care-seeking behaviour by sending mothers SMS messages tracked to their stage of pregnancy, alongside an AI-enabled helpdesk service that ...

7.

reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com

reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-025-02048-4

Developing and validating an artificial intelligence-based ...

This study aims to develop and validate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool to predict pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, ...