A Changing Landscape: Implications of Pregnant Women's Internet Use for Childbirth Educators

Abstract

Internet use among pregnant women is common and frequent, while attendance at childbirth education classes appears to be on the decline. This article explores why women turn to the Internet in pregnancy and how Internet use may affect their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. It suggests strategies for engaging women's interest in the Internet and describes how doing so may help increase the effectiveness of "traditional" childbirth education while mitigating the potentially overwhelming and confusing aspects of Internet use.