BACKGROUND
Women in pregnancy and motherhood are increasingly accessing online mothers’ groups as a source of information and support.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the evolution of, and interactions within, an online mothers’ group over ten years, commencing in a large public forum and breaking away to form a small, private Facebook group
METHODS
A qualitative interpretive study, using online textual postings
RESULTS
The findings demonstrated an evolution of childbearing women’s information and support needs, interaction types, individual and community focus, and trust and relationship building within a group of women participating in online mothers’ groups. Large public forums are mostly a space for self-motivated information and advice seeking with only a small number of women engaging in reciprocal support activities. For those able to build relationships, a small, private online group can foster a sense of belongingness and community, through active participation and mutual support, which can evolve with women’s needs over many years.
CONCLUSIONS
Large online public forums can inhibit relationship building through the diffusion of social responsibility and the burden of reciprocity. However, small private online groups can foster participation and reciprocity, leading to access sustained and appropriate support that evolves with their needs throughout the phases of childbearing and beyond.