The Effects of Positive Birth Experience Sharing and Guided Imagery on Childbirth Self-Efficacy and Fear of Childbirth

Brief Summary This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of positive birth experience sharing combined with guided imagery on fear of childbirth and childbirth self-efficacy in primiparous pregnant women. The study is a single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial using stratified block randomization based on baseline fear of childbirth. A total of 62 pregnant women were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (n=31) or control group (n=31). Participants were enrolled at 26-28 weeks of gestation. Before randomization, participants completed the Personal Information Form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A (W-DEQ-A), and the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory-Short Form (CBSEI-C32) online. Participants were stratified according to their baseline W-DEQ-A scores and then randomly allocated to the intervention or control group. The intervention was delivered individually and online via WhatsApp. Women in the intervention group participated in an approximately 30-minute individual online session during which one of the researchers shared a positive personal birth experience and answered participants' questions about childbirth. Participants were also provided with a standardized Turkish guided imagery audio recording based on childbirth-focused guided imagery techniques. They were instructed to listen to the approximately 20-minute recording independently once or twice daily for 10 weeks, preferably before bedtime. Daily WhatsApp reminders and a guided imagery exercise follow-up chart were used to support and monitor adherence. Women in the control group received routine antenatal care and did not receive the positive birth experience sharing or guided imagery intervention. At the end of the 10-week intervention period, participants in both groups completed the W-DEQ-A and CBSEI-C32 online. Within the first three days after childbirth, the W-DEQ-B was administered online and mode of birth was