title: Pregnant families' discussions on the Net--from virtual connections toward real-life community.
abstract: The aim of this research was to analyze conversations between expectant families (N = 21) in Net Clinic, an Internet-based service designed for patients using public maternity care. The online conversations, shared opinions about experiences of pregnancy, and family life constituted the data for content analysis. The families developed a sense of virtual community, which gradually evolved into a real-life community, by discovering the similarity of their life situations and by giving parent-to-parent support for everyday life events. As a view of daily family life, Net Clinic offers maternity care professionals a deeper understanding of how to enhance safer pregnancy, birth, and growth of the family.
authors.forename: Pirkko
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kouri
authors.forename: Hannele
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turunen
authors.forename: Kerttu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tossavainen
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saarikoski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D035502:Trust