The fact and the fiction: A prospective study of internet forum discussions on vaginal breech birth

Petrovska, K; Sheehan, A; Homer, CSE

The fact and the fiction: A prospective study of internet forum discussions on vaginal breech birth

Petrovska, K

Sheehan, A

Homer, CSE

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2017, 30 (2), pp. e96 - e102
Issue Date:: 2017-04-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Petrovska, K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3676-0477	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sheehan, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2035-504X	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:03:44Z
dc.date.issued	2017-04-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2017, 30 (2), pp. e96 - e102	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115218
dc.description.abstract	© 2016 Australian College of Midwives Background Women with a breech baby late in pregnancy may use the internet to gather information to assist in decision-making for birth. The aim of this study was to examine how women use English language internet discussion forums to find out information about vaginal breech birth and to increase understanding of how vaginal breech birth is perceived among women. Method A descriptive qualitative study of internet discussion forums was undertaken. Google alerts were created with the search terms “breech birth” and “breech”. Alerts were collected for a one-year period (January 2013–December 2013). The content of forum discussions was analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 50 forum discussions containing 382 comments were collected. Themes that arose from the data were: Testing the waters—which way should I go?; Losing hope for the chance of a normal birth; Seeking support for options—who will listen to me?; Considering vaginal breech birth—a risky choice?; Staying on the ‘safe side’—caesarean section as a guarantee; Exploring the positive potential for vaginal breech birth. Conclusion Women search online for information about vaginal breech birth in an attempt to come to a place in their decision-making where they feel comfortable with their birth plan. This study highlights the need for clinicians to provide comprehensive, unbiased information on the risks and benefits of all options for breech birth to facilitate informed decision-making for the woman. This will contribute to improving the woman's confidence in distinguishing between “the fact and the fiction” of breech birth discussions online.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2016.09.012	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Breech Presentation	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Prenatal Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery, Obstetric	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cesarean Section	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Risk Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Prospective Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Information Dissemination	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Decision Making	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Internet	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.title	The fact and the fiction: A prospective study of internet forum discussions on vaginal breech birth	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	30	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	30	en_US

Abstract:

© 2016 Australian College of Midwives Background Women with a breech baby late in pregnancy may use the internet to gather information to assist in decision-making for birth. The aim of this study was to examine how women use English language internet discussion forums to find out information about vaginal breech birth and to increase understanding of how vaginal breech birth is perceived among women. Method A descriptive qualitative study of internet discussion forums was undertaken. Google alerts were created with the search terms “breech birth” and “breech”. Alerts were collected for a one-year period (January 2013–December 2013). The content of forum discussions was analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 50 forum discussions containing 382 comments were collected. Themes that arose from the data were: Testing the waters—which way should I go?; Losing hope for the chance of a normal birth; Seeking support for options—who will listen to me?; Considering vaginal breech birth—a risky choice?; Staying on the ‘safe side’—caesarean section as a guarantee; Exploring the positive potential for vaginal breech birth. Conclusion Women search online for information about vaginal breech birth in an attempt to come to a place in their decision-making where they feel comfortable with their birth plan. This study highlights the need for clinicians to provide comprehensive, unbiased information on the risks and benefits of all options for breech birth to facilitate informed decision-making for the woman. This will contribute to improving the woman's confidence in distinguishing between “the fact and the fiction” of breech birth discussions online.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115218