Women’s mobile phone use in birth suite: A West Australian perspective

Abstract Research investigating childbearing women’s use of digital technology focuses on pregnancy and parenting, with none examining usage during labour. We explored the importance of having a mobile phone and how it was used in birth suite. This cohort study utilised women on a postnatal ward. Women (n = 300) who felt it was important to have a mobile phone were more likely than those who did not, to use their phone for social media and within an hour of birth. Few women used their phone whilst feeding their baby or felt phone usage would impact on quality time with their baby.