The relationship between pregnant women's perception of traumatic birth and their vaginal birth self-efficacy: a cross-sectional study.

BACKROUND: Women's perceptions of traumatic childbirth are associated with their confidence in coping with vaginal birth. This study aimed to examine the relationship between pregnant women's traumatic childbirth perception and their vaginal birth self-efficacy.

METHODS

This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 152 nulliparous women attending the antenatal clinic of a private hospital in Turkey. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a Sociodemographic and Obstetric Information Form, the Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale (TCPS), and the Vaginal Birth Self-Efficacy Scale (VBSES). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29.0. Independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 28.20 ± 3.76 years, and the mean gestational week was 21.78 ± 7.86. The mean TCPS score was 63.22 ± 28.67, and the mean VBSES score was 49.34 ± 21.38. Traumatic childbirth perception was negatively correlated with vaginal birth self-efficacy (r = - 0.318, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, traumatic childbirth perception remained independently associated with lower vaginal birth self-efficacy after controlling for sociodemographic and obstetric variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women demonstrated moderate levels of traumatic childbirth perception. Higher traumatic childbirth perception was associated with lower vaginal birth self-efficacy. These findings underscore the importance of identifying and addressing traumatic perceptions during pregnancy in order to support women's confidence in vaginal birth.