“We need our own #MeToo”: A critical discourseanalysis of women’s online birth stories

This study investigates how women discursively construct their childbirth experiences in online forums, particularly in relation to obstetricviolence. By analyzing 2,618 comments from the Mumsnet platform, the research explores the linguistic strategies women use to narrate theirexperiences, including direct speech, sensory details, and rhetorical devices. Using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis frameworkwithin a Social Media Critical Discourse Studies (SM-CDS) approach, the study identifies four key themes. The findings reveal that onlinenarratives, often structured as micro-narratives, provide a space for sense-making, emotional validation, and solidarity-building. Additionally,the study highlights the role of social media in amplifying women’s voices, with the hashtag #MeToo emerging as a linguistic marker thatconnects childbirth experiences to broader discussions of gender-based violence. Ultimately, the research underscores the need for systemicreforms in maternity care, emphasizing respectful treatment, informed consent, and gender-sensitive practices.