This study explores how people make health decisions when reliable information is limited, contested, or difficult to access. Focusing on individuals considering cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation, the research examines how they seek, interpret, and combine different types of information in a complex legal and social environment. Using qualitative interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, the authors identify how participants navigate uncertainty by drawing on medical advice, online sources, personal experience, relationships, and intuition.
The study introduces the concept of “Everyday Triangulation,” a model describing how individuals integrate trusted information, personal judgment, and immediate needs to make decisions about health in real-world contexts. By highlighting the gaps in available evidence and the challenges people face in accessing non-judgmental, relevant guidance, this research contributes to information science and public health by pointing to the need for more accessible, evidence-informed communication and support for pregnant and lactating individuals.