Online first
Research paper
Published online: 2024-03-26

open access

Page views 156
Article views/downloads 107
Get Citation

Connect on Social Media

Connect on Social Media

Natural childbirth and cesarean section — descriptive analysis of queries in Google search engine

Agata Michalska1, Katarzyna Niechcial2, Robert Niechcial2, Daniel P. Wolder3, Aleksandra Gładys-Jakubczyk1, Karol Bielasik4, Grzegorz Swiercz3

Abstract

Objectives: The use of internet-based search engines for health information is very popular and common. The Internet has become an important source of health information and has a considerable impact on patient’s decision making process. Knowledge of pregnant women about childbirth comes from health professionals and personal experiences described by friends or family members. There is a growing interest in digital sources used by pregnant women. Analysis of queries related to regarding to natural childbirth and cesarean section in the Google search engine. Material and methods: In this infodemiology, descriptive study tool “AlsoAsked” was used. This is a tool for analyzing data appearing in Google search results. “AlsoAsked” search was conducted on April 19, 2023. Search phrases “natural childbirth” and “cesarean section” in polish language were used. Questions that were typed into the Google search engine, ranked according to popularity (volume) and thematic connections have been discussed. Results: The most frequently asked questions were related to the course and duration of labor as well as the preparation for labor and cesarean section (CS). Comparison between a natural labour and CS in the context of safety and pain received a great deal of attention. Conclusions: The most popular questions regarding CS were related to elective CS and indications for it. Some questions concerned the connection between labor and clinical state of a newborn.

Article available in PDF format

View PDF Download PDF file

References

  1. Zeraatkar K, Ahmadi M. Trends of infodemiology studies: a scoping review. Health Info Libr J. 2018; 35(2): 91–120.
  2. Mavragani A. Infodemiology and Infoveillance: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res. 2020; 22(4): e16206.
  3. Ahmadian L, Khajouei R, Kamali S, et al. Use of the Internet by pregnant women to seek information about pregnancy and childbirth. Inform Health Soc Care. 2020; 45(4): 385–395.
  4. Vogels-Broeke M, Daemers D, Budé L, et al. Sources of information used by women during pregnancy and the perceived quality. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022; 22(1): 109.
  5. Al-Dahshan A, Chehab M, Mohamed A, et al. Pattern of internet use for pregnancy-related information and its predictors among women visiting primary healthcare in Qatar: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021; 21(1): 747.
  6. Hay SJ, McLachlan HL, Newton M, et al. Sources of information during pregnancy and the early parenting period: Exploring the views of women and their partners. Midwifery. 2022; 105: 103236.
  7. Pilarska A, Zimmermann A, Zdun-Ryżewska A. Access to Health Information in the Polish Healthcare System-Survey Research. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(12).
  8. Sys D, Baranowska B, Kajdy A, et al. Women's views and preferences regarding the mode of birth after cesarean section: Polish cross-sectional web-based survey. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2022; 273: 26–32.
  9. Kamiński M, Łoniewski I, Łoniewska B. 'Dr. Google, is caesarean section good for me?' - the global Internet searches associated with mode of birth methods: Retrospective analysis of Google trends data. Midwifery. 2020; 89: 102787.
  10. Guerra-Reyes L, Christie VM, Prabhakar A, et al. Mind the Gap: Assessing the Disconnect Between Postpartum Health Information Desired and Health Information Received. Womens Health Issues. 2017; 27(2): 167–173.
  11. West S, Kornhaber R, Visentin DC, et al. The role of the health professional supporting consumers who use 'Dr Google'. J Adv Nurs. 2020; 76(9): 2217–2219.
  12. Jacobs EJA, van Steijn ME, van Pampus MG. Internet usage of women attempting pregnancy and pregnant women in the Netherlands. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2019; 21: 9–14.
  13. van den Heuvel JFm, Groenhof TK, Veerbeek JHw, et al. eHealth as the Next-Generation Perinatal Care: An Overview of the Literature. J Med Internet Res. 2018; 20(6): e202.
  14. Ellis L, Roberts L. Exploring the use and quality of Internet discussion forums in pregnancy: A qualitative analysis. Birth. 2020; 47(1): 153–161.
  15. Serçekuş P, Değirmenciler B, Özkan S. Internet use by pregnant women seeking childbirth information. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2021; 50(8): 102144.
  16. Fioretti BTS, Reiter M, Betrán AP, et al. Googling caesarean section: a survey on the quality of the information available on the Internet. BJOG. 2015; 122(5): 731–739.
  17. Peddie VL, Whitelaw N, Cumming GP, et al. Qualitative website analysis of information on birth after caesarean section. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015; 15: 180.
  18. Vamos CA, Merrell L, Detman L, et al. Exploring Women's Experiences in Accessing, Understanding, Appraising, and Applying Health Information During Pregnancy. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2019; 64(4): 472–480.
  19. Dutta-Bergman M. Trusted online sources of health information: differences in demographics, health beliefs, and health-information orientation. J Med Internet Res. 2003; 5(3): e21.
  20. Rublein L, Muschalla B. Childbirth fear, birth-related mindset and knowledge in non-pregnant women without birth experience. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022; 22(1): 249.
  21. Sanders RA, Crozier K. How do informal information sources influence women's decision-making for birth? A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018; 18(1): 21.
  22. Ryding EL, Lukasse M, Parys ASV, et al. Bidens Group. Fear of childbirth and risk of cesarean delivery: a cohort study in six European countries. Birth. 2015; 42(1): 48–55.
  23. Sheen K, Slade P. Examining the content and moderators of women's fears for giving birth: A meta-synthesis. J Clin Nurs. 2018; 27(13-14): 2523–2535.
  24. Madhavanprabhakaran GK, D’Souza MS, Nairy K. Effectiveness of Childbirth Education on Nulliparous Women’s Knowledge of Childbirth Preparation, Pregnancy Anxiety and Pregnancy Outcomes. Nurs Midwifery Stud. 2016; inpress(inpress).
  25. Stoll KH, Hauck YL, Downe S, et al. International Childbirth Attitudes- Prior to Pregnancy (ICAPP) Study Team. Preference for cesarean section in young nulligravid women in eight OECD countries and implications for reproductive health education. Reprod Health. 2017; 14(1): 116.
  26. Stoll K, Hall WA. Attitudes and preferences of young women with low and high fear of childbirth. Qual Health Res. 2013; 23(11): 1495–1505.
  27. Tugut N, Tirkes D, Demirel G. Preparedness of pregnant women for childbirth and the postpartum period: their knowledge and fear. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2015; 35(4): 336–340.