title: What are VBAC Women Seeking and Sharing? A Content Analysis of Online Discussion Boards.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the United States, one-third of pregnancies result in a cesarean delivery. In subsequent pregnancies, mothers must decide whether to pursue a vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC) or a repeat cesarean delivery. Pregnant women frequently turn to the Internet for support and information.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 300 posts from a popular online discussion board created for pregnant women who are in the process of deciding to have a VBAC and compared them to 300 posts from a discussion board for pregnant women in general.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women contemplating a VBAC sought more information on health care providers, more information about labor and delivery, and actively sought birth narratives from other women. Over one-third of VBAC posters shared a birth story, whereas this activity was rare on the general discussion board. Activity on the VBAC board suggested more involvement in the online community (longer entries and more feedback).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many women considering VBAC seek a substantial amount of information and emotional support from online discussion boards. Knowledge of information sought can assist health care providers in more fully meeting the needs of VBAC candidates.
authors.affiliation: Division of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Yasmine L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Konheim-Kalkstein
authors.affiliation: Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.affiliation: Center for Medical Decision Making, Ono Academic College, Kiryat Ono, Israel.
authors.forename: Talya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miron-Shatz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stellmack
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D060756:Social Networking; D014481:United States; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Internet; cesarean; content analysis; online discussion boards; pregnant women; vaginal birth after a cesarean