The document discusses how social media is influencing women's decision-making during childbirth, highlighting that a significant number of women seek health information online. It emphasizes the gap in communication between women and health professionals, with women desiring more flexible communication and feeling uninformed. The document urges health professionals to engage with social media to share quality information and collaborate with women in decision-making.

1. HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS INFLUENCING
THE CHOICES WOMEN MAKE DURING
THE CHILDBIRTH CONTINUUM
Sarah Stewart 2012
sarahstewart07@gmail.com
@SarahStewart
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54258032@N00/30944163

2. 8 out of 10 people have looked up
health information on the internet
Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2011

3. 96% Australians look on the Internet
for information on their symptoms
before they go to a doctor
Bendall 2012

4. 83% women go online to look for
health information
Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79576592@N00/125710155

5. 19% of internet
users look online
for information
about pregnancy
and childbirth
Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48819968@N00/12390581

6. Canada 37% babies have digital
identity before they are born Dawson, 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124425616@N01/228236016
0

7. Australia/NZ 41% newborns
on the net Dawson,
2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124425616@N01/263468198
2

8. USA 92% children have online
presence by 2 years old Dawson,
2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86603835@N00/19650368

9. What is social media?
“web-based and mobile technologies that turn
communication into interactive dialogue”
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73532212@N00/2945559128

10. 33% American use
social media in
relation to health
issues PwC Health Research Institute 2012
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26667277@N00/32953415
9

11. Parents talk about childbirth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niJ6F2p9Ql8&feature=fvst

12. They broadcast their births

13. They share information and advice
http://www.facebook.com/MidwiferyToday

14. They support each other

15. They build communities of interest
http://www.facebook.com/delayedcordclampin
g

16. They have virtual births

17. They become activists
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-HBAC-in-Australia-fan-page/239430759403371

18. They talk about health care
professionals

19. What are the
implications for
health
professionals?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48819968@N00/2925293661

20. Women want flexible
communication, but
aren't getting it with
health professionals
Dallas Knight 2012
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01/29637288
0

21. Women want to
feel their
communication
needs are being
met, but health
professionals are
ignoring this
Dallas Knight 2012
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21353838@N06/268184120
5

22. Women feeling uninformed by health
professionals, which affects their
ability to make choices & decisions
about their care Dallas Kinght 2012
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77476789@N00/220190750
0

23. Challenge:
Did you know there is no mention of
Australian midwifery on Wikipedia?
Did you know most information
about obstetrics is from American
perspective?

24. Infrequent antenatal visits &
constant need for information
triggered use of Internet Lagan, Sinclair & Kernohan 2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8566600@N07/280169005
7

25. Women are a lot more informed &
wish to be treated as partners in
decision-making process Lagan, Sinclair & Kernohan 2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34120957@N04/687010945
4

26. Balance of power between health
professional and “patient” is shifting
Lagan, Sinclair & Kernohan 2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73621375@N00/113236
5

27. What should health
professionals do?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74821452@N00/20843942
7

28. Keep up to date with the
communication changes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25159380@N00/364934935
3

29. Listen to what women are saying
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29195126@N02/4872728620

30. Join the conversation

31. Use social media to share evidence-
based, quality information
with women
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50318388@N00/1309683996

32. Support women to make sense of
information they find on the internet

33. Work in partnership with women to
support decision-making
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74637221@N00/3109380557

34. Sarah Stewart
sarahstewart07@gmail.com
Twitter: @SarahStewart
http://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/sarahmstewart
http://www.slideshare.net/sarahs