Abstract:

The paper analyses the changing approaches to pregnancy and medicalization through e-learning perspective. Pregnancy today is highly visible, intensely surveilled and marketed as a consumer identity. The internet has emerged as a significant resource for women negotiating the questions that arise during pregnancy and childbirth, but it still remains unclear what role the Internet plays in challenging the current biomedical paradigm and empowering women to make meaningful choices. The paper suggests that open learning environments are not sufficiently explored by health sector in order to ensure self-directed learning of pregnant women, which could provide reliable and up-to-date information and support. Open learning environment encourage internal motivation by creating a space for discoveries, giving challenges that require creative action. The main motivation for learning is usually related to work or to the quality of life. However, motives for social affairs are also important (Schalk, 2010). Regular provision of feedback at different stages, helps to monitor the progress and the need for further improvement or new knowledge (Wlodkowski, 2008). Study performed in China where 323 representatives from well-known health communities participated, showed that for general and specific knowledge sharing in e-communities, three major factors are most influential: a sense of self-esteem; perceived social support from the community members; reputation (Yan, Wang, Chen, Zhang, 2016).

Digital health technologies are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare, health education and voluntary self-surveillance, self-quantification and self-care practices. In the context of increasing digitalisation, the significance of new virtual spaces for parenting is discussed. The paper shows how women seek out alternative forms of expertise (specifically, non-medical expertise) and social support. A variety of types of online support may be used during pregnancy. The findings are based on in-depth interviews in which women discussed how they found information about their particular circumstances and concerns within their experiences of conception, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Keywords:

Digital health technologies, online health communities.