Assisted Reproductive Technologies, The Internet And Information Seeking: A Case Study Of Australian Women Using Peer Online Forums To Seek Donor Eggs Across Borders

The Internet is an increasingly significant source of information for people seeking health information. Peer to peer posts on online fertility forums are a critical information source. However, little is known about the use of these forums by women seeking fertility treatment. In particular, online information sourced by women seeking to travel internationally to be recipients of cross border egg donation has been rarely studied. The aim of this study is to explore what information was sought and offered in peer fertility egg recipient forums to provide insights into the motivations and other considerations of Australian women seeking overseas egg donation. In doing so we seek to understand the use of technology by women - both the Internet and assisted reproductive technologies - as an aid to engage strangers in intimate decision-making concerning reproductive choice.