title: What is the impact of the Internet on decision-making in pregnancy? A global study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women need access to evidence-based information to make informed choices in pregnancy. A search for health information is one of the major reasons that people worldwide access the Internet. Recent years have witnessed an increase in Internet usage by women seeking pregnancy-related information. The aim of this study was to build on previous quantitative studies to explore women's experiences and perceptions of using the Internet for retrieving pregnancy-related information, and its influence on their decision-making processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This global study drew on the interpretive qualitative traditions together with a theoretical model on information seeking, adapted to understand Internet use in pregnancy and its role in relation to decision-making. Thirteen asynchronous online focus groups across five countries were conducted with 92 women who had accessed the Internet for pregnancy-related information over a 3-month period. Data were readily transferred and analyzed deductively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall analysis indicates that the Internet is having a visible impact on women's decision making in regards to all aspects of their pregnancy. The key emergent theme was the great need for information. Four broad themes also emerged: "validate information,""empowerment,""share experiences," and "assisted decision-making." Women also reported how the Internet provided support, its negative and positive aspects, and as a source of accurate, timely information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health professionals have a responsibility to acknowledge that women access the Internet for support and pregnancy-related information to assist in their decision-making. Health professionals must learn to work in partnership with women to guide them toward evidence-based websites and be prepared to discuss the ensuing information.
authors: Institute of Nursing Research, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, United Kingdom.
authors: Briege M
authors: BM
authors: Lagan
authors: Marlene
authors: M
authors: Sinclair
authors: W George
authors: WG
authors: Kernohan
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000328:Adult; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D012944:Social Support