Examining the relationship between pregnant women's birth beliefs and vaginal birth self-efficacy levels

Aim: It was aimed to examine the relationship between "pregnant women's birth beliefs" and "vaginal birth self-efficacy". Material and Method: The sample of the descriptive study was composed of 390 pregnant women who were in the second and third trimester pregnancy period between November 15, 2023 and March 30, 2024 Dec. The data were collected online using the Introductory Information Form, the Birth Beliefs Scale (BBS) and the Vaginal Birth Self-Efficacy Scale (VBSES). All the data obtained from the study were analyzed using Kolmogorov Sminov, t test and ANOVA methods. Results: The average age of the pregnant women in the study was 28.87±3.67, it was determined that 77.4% of them graduated from bachelor's degree and above, and 50.8% of them were not working. It was found that 73.6% of pregnant women decided on the method of delivery, their partners were most effective in this decision (54%) and 84.5% were planning a vaginal birth. The average Natural Process Belief (NPB) score of pregnant women was determined as 4.39±0.66, the average Medical Process Belief (MPB) score was determined as 3.37±0.84, and the average vaginal birth self-efficacy scale (VBSES) score was determined as 64.86±19.37. It was found that there was a statistically significant relationship between the total VBSES score of pregnant women and the BNP (r=0.473, p<0.001) sub-dimension score in a positive direction and the BMP (Dec=-0.115, p=0.023) sub-dimension score in a negative direction. Dec (r=-0.115, p<0.023) sub-dimension score was found to have a statistically significant relationship between the total VBSES score and BNP (r=0.473, p<0.001) sub-dimension score. Conclusion: It has been determined that as the vaginal birth self-efficacy of pregnant women increases, their natural birth beliefs also increase.