Internet use by pregnant women seeking childbirth information

Abstract

Background: During pregnancy period, women's information needs increases. Receiving information during this period affects the birth and postpartum period. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the use of the internet to receiving childbirth information by pregnant women. Methods: The study was a descriptive study. Data were collected using an Information Form. The sample consisted of 162 pregnant women. Results: The 92.4% of women used the internet as a source of information about childbirth. Blogs or web pages were the most frequently used internet sources with 85.8% usage, followed by mobile applications with 75.6%, and social media with 58.1%. Most of the women found the information they received from the internet partially useful and reliable. 24.3% of the women stated that receiving information on internet decreased their fears and 14.8% that it increased their fears. Conclusions: Most women used the internet as primary information source. Health professionals should orient people to reliable sources. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.