BACKGROUND:
Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy poses serious risks for maternal mental health and well-being. Digital screening and support may improve identification and access to care, but their acceptability and perceived relevance for pregnant women remain underexplored.

OBJECTIVES:
To explore how pregnant women in Denmark experienced digital IPV screening and midwife-led video counselling, with a focus on perceived barriers and facilitators for participation.

METHODS:
This qualitative study was nested in the STOP project. Pregnant women attending antenatal care were screened for IPV using a digital questionnaire. Women who screened positive were offered 3–6 video-based counselling sessions with trained midwives and access to a safety planning app. Twenty women who received the intervention were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive approach.

RESULTS:
Digital screening was considered acceptable and less confronting, allowing women to disclose violence at their own pace. Many participants appreciated being asked about IPV and valued that support was offered in a calm, non-judgmental manner. Trust in midwives and prior relationships with the healthcare system facilitated engagement. Barriers included concerns about digital control by partners, limited relevance of the safety app, competing responsibilities during pregnancy, and emotional overwhelm. Some women preferred support outside the healthcare system or from informal networks. A single screening point was seen as insufficient, as readiness to disclose could change over time.

CONCLUSIONS:
Digital IPV screening and midwife-led video counselling are acceptable and meaningful to many pregnant women. For successful implementation, follow-up is essential, and support must be adaptable to women’s individual situations, needs, and timing.

KEY MESSAGE:
Antenatal care is a key opportunity to identify and support women exposed to IPV. Many do not disclose unless asked. Digital screening helps reach more – but meaningful support requires verbal follow-up and adaptation to individual needs. Physiological - labour progress (including three-minute presentation competition)