ArticleFrontiers in public health2025
Prenatal alcohol exposure before pregnancy awareness: a thematic analysis of online forum comments and misinformation.
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Evaluating online information on reduced fetal movements: a mixed-methods study.Irish journal of medical science · 2026Article
- Media portrayals of alcohol use in pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A scoping review.Alcohol, clinical & experimental research · 2025Article
- Knowledge Gaps Regarding Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy and Its Effect on the Fetus: A Systematic Review Focused on Women.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Many women consume alcohol while pregnant before they are aware of the pregnancy, raising concerns about potential harms to the developing fetus. Official guidelines in the United Kingdom recommend abstinence throughout pregnancy, and many women turn to online forums for reassurance and information. However, online forums can also become a source of misinformation, potentially increasing confusion and anxiety among women who have consumed alcohol before pregnancy awareness. This study explored discussions about alcohol consumption before pregnancy awareness on Mumsnet to understand the nature of peer response and assess the accuracy of information against official health guidelines and the scientific literature. Methods: A thematic analysis was conducted on 71 thread starts and 1,281 comments from Mumsnet. Data was collected via web scraping, followed by manual screening. Themes were identified, and information-sharing posts were fact-checked against scientific evidence and guidelines. Results: Two overarching themes with five sub-themes emerged: "Type of reassurance offered", where users offered reassurance to alleviate worries, and "Reactions to reassurance", where some users appeared reassured while others did not. While many found reassurance, fact-checking revealed that the majority of the information was inaccurate, often underestimating the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure. Conclusions: Online forums may provide a source of peer support to those who have consumed alcohol before pregnancy awareness but frequently spread misinformation about alcohol use in early pregnancy. Health professionals should ensure pregnant women have access to accurate information alongside appropriate support to reduce anxiety and avoid the spread of harmful misinformation.
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Registered trials
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