Getting Reliable Information About Pregnancy and Birth - Government Websites and Publications
Government websites and publications offer some of the most accurate, reliable information available about pregnancy and birth.
They offer access to real research reports and summaries of reports known as abstracts.
Some of them also translate the research into easy-to-read information that is more accessible for expectant parents to understand.
Google "government women's healthcare websites" and the first search page is full of government websites, with the URLs ending with .
gov.
These are considered some of the most reliable sources of information, with many peer-reviewed studies funded or run through government agencies.
Peer-reviewed studies are viewed as the "gold standard" of scientific research.
Reading the research directly can be helpful in making healthcare decisions.
It provides information with the least amount of bias, or opinion.
Each time the research passes through another author's or reporter's review for another publication, their opinion and sense of what will be important to the reader can slightly alter the information until eventually it no longer states the information in the same way as the original research.
Government agencies have a mandate to make sure the information they publish is as close to the research intent as possible.
It may be challenging to read a research report, especially if you have never read one before, or your reading level is on a lower level.
You may be able to get enough information by reading the abstract, the introduction, and the discussion at the end of the report.
The discussion pulls all the information together and the authors usually add their thoughts about the research findings.
You may be able to understand the way the research was done and make judgements about whether it was done in a way that makes sense to you, even if you don't have a full understanding of the finer points of why the research was done a certain way.
Finally, know that the more reports you read, the more familiar you become with the language and the structure, which makes it easier to grasp the scientific information in the report.
Another way to approach the challenge of maximizing research by reading the research reports is to work with someone who is already familiar with doing it.
Friends and family may have experience with it, or others who are part of the community of birth workers and advocates may be available to help too.
Leaders of birth networks, childbirth educators, doulas, and other care providers like doctors, midwives, and nurses are all good resources to help you grasp the details that government websites and publications focused on research have to offer.
Being familiar with, and understanding, scientific research is an important tool for getting the best care during your pregnancy and birth.
Government websites and publications can be great, reliable resources to help you navigate maternity.
They offer access to real research reports and summaries of reports known as abstracts.
Some of them also translate the research into easy-to-read information that is more accessible for expectant parents to understand.
Google "government women's healthcare websites" and the first search page is full of government websites, with the URLs ending with .
gov.
These are considered some of the most reliable sources of information, with many peer-reviewed studies funded or run through government agencies.
Peer-reviewed studies are viewed as the "gold standard" of scientific research.
Reading the research directly can be helpful in making healthcare decisions.
It provides information with the least amount of bias, or opinion.
Each time the research passes through another author's or reporter's review for another publication, their opinion and sense of what will be important to the reader can slightly alter the information until eventually it no longer states the information in the same way as the original research.
Government agencies have a mandate to make sure the information they publish is as close to the research intent as possible.
It may be challenging to read a research report, especially if you have never read one before, or your reading level is on a lower level.
You may be able to get enough information by reading the abstract, the introduction, and the discussion at the end of the report.
The discussion pulls all the information together and the authors usually add their thoughts about the research findings.
You may be able to understand the way the research was done and make judgements about whether it was done in a way that makes sense to you, even if you don't have a full understanding of the finer points of why the research was done a certain way.
Finally, know that the more reports you read, the more familiar you become with the language and the structure, which makes it easier to grasp the scientific information in the report.
Another way to approach the challenge of maximizing research by reading the research reports is to work with someone who is already familiar with doing it.
Friends and family may have experience with it, or others who are part of the community of birth workers and advocates may be available to help too.
Leaders of birth networks, childbirth educators, doulas, and other care providers like doctors, midwives, and nurses are all good resources to help you grasp the details that government websites and publications focused on research have to offer.
Being familiar with, and understanding, scientific research is an important tool for getting the best care during your pregnancy and birth.
Government websites and publications can be great, reliable resources to help you navigate maternity.
