"There's an Etiquette to Zoom That's Not Really Present In-Person": A Qualitative Study Showing How the Mute Button Shapes Virtual Postpartum Support for New Parents.

Publisher: Sage Publications Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9202144 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1049-7323 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10497323 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Qual Health Res

Publication: Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications
Original Publication: Newbury Park, CA : Sage Publications, c1991-

Pandemics* ; COVID-19*; Female ; Humans ; Social Support ; Parents ; Postpartum Period

Virtual spaces that allow parents in the postpartum period to connect, support each other, and exchange information have been increasing in popularity. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents had to rely on virtual platforms as a primary means to connect with others and attend to their postpartum health. This study explored virtual postpartum support sessions through the web-based videoconferencing software, Zoom. Guided by feminist poststructuralism and sociomaterialism, we held seven virtual support sessions for parents caring for a baby 0-12 months in age, in Canada, and interviewed 19 participants about their experiences in the sessions. Our methodological approach allowed us to analyze discourses of (1) parenthood, (2) material realities of virtual environments, and (3) support and information on this virtual platform. The purpose of this research was to understand how technology influences postpartum support and learning through online videoconferencing for parents. Our findings document an overarching discourse of Zoom etiquette by which muting was a discursive practice that all participants used. The consistent use of the mute button while not talking structured conversation in virtual postpartum sessions and resulted in three themes: (1) minimizing disruptions; (2) taking turns; and (3) staying on task. The norm of using the mute button changed how parents received and gave support and information. Based on findings and broader literature, we discuss considerations for facilitation of virtual postpartum support sessions.

J Clin Nurs. 2018 Feb;27(3-4):640-649. (PMID: 28722771)
PLoS One. 2021 Oct 29;16(10):e0258358. (PMID: 34714832)
Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jul;136(1):33-36. (PMID: 32384386)
Nurs Rep. 2020 Dec 21;10(2):207-219. (PMID: 34968364)
J Health Psychol. 2019 Sep;24(10):1334-1344. (PMID: 28795604)
Women Birth. 2020 Feb;33(1):e48-e58. (PMID: 30545755)
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021 Sep 17;21(1):625. (PMID: 34530772)
J Hum Lact. 2019 Aug;35(3):569-582. (PMID: 30889373)
Can J Nurs Res. 2021 Dec;53(4):327-339. (PMID: 32757828)
Qual Health Res. 2018 Aug;28(10):1552-1563. (PMID: 29281945)
J Neurosci. 2023 Apr 5;43(14):2568-2578. (PMID: 36868852)
Qual Health Res. 2019 Dec;29(14):1998-2009. (PMID: 30964392)
Sociol Health Illn. 2018 Feb;40(2):243-255. (PMID: 29464775)
Matern Child Health J. 2022 Jan;26(1):65-69. (PMID: 34854027)
Acad Med. 2020 Jun;95(6):851-855. (PMID: 31876568)
J Clin Med. 2021 May 24;10(11):. (PMID: 34073903)
Midwifery. 2021 Mar;94:102902. (PMID: 33421662)
J Exp Psychol Gen. 2022 Jun;151(6):1272-1282. (PMID: 34748361)
Perspect Public Health. 2021 Jul;141(4):214-225. (PMID: 34286652)
Can Fam Physician. 2021 Jan;67(1):65-68. (PMID: 33483398)
Acad Med. 2015 Nov;90(11):1451-6. (PMID: 25830536)
J Clin Med. 2022 Sep 20;11(19):. (PMID: 36233372)

Keywords: Zoom; mothers; mute button; parents; postpartum; virtual

Date Created: 20230809 Date Completed: 20230912 Latest Revision: 20230914

20231215

PMC10494476

10.1177/10497323231187541

37554077