Abstract

People use the internet to look for information regarding their own health. In this study, we wanted to find out if the currently most used websites in Ireland and the UK were good at providing pregnant women with information regarding stillbirth and its risk factors. We looked at different websites. The information we were looking for in the websites included: how many stillbirth happen every year? What are their causes? What can a woman expect? What are the physical and psychological consequences? What are the supports available? We were also looking for information regarding behavioural/modifiable risk factors such as substance use, high BMI, importance of attendance at antenatal care and sleep position. We found that of the 92 websites, less than half (39%) contained some of the information regarding stillbirth, and only 30% had some information regarding risk factors. Only one of the websites contained all the information that we looked for. We concluded that the websites directed at the pregnant population are not a good source of information regarding stillbirth and risk factors, and we consider that these resources should be developed and made available to keep women informed.