Ellis, Leila, and Lesley Roberts. "Exploring the use and quality of Internet discussion forums in pregnancy: A qualitative analysis." Birth 47.1 (2020): 153-161.

This study examines the use and quality of health information in online pregnancy forums. Through thematic analysis of 480 posts, it identifies motivations for engagement, such as seeking shared experiences and emotional expression. Out of 1,098 responses evaluated, 54.7% were accurate, while 20.9% were misleading, and 5.5% posed potential harm. The findings highlight a concerning lack of self-regulation among discussions, with few instances of correcting poor-quality information. The study suggests that healthcare practitioners should guide pregnant women on the importance of clinical consultation and acknowledge the supportive role of online forums.