Abstract Overview:
The widespread use of digital communication channels today has increased the opportunities to provide remote support to women during the childbirth process. In this context, examining the potential effects of midwifery counseling delivered via WhatsApp on women’s birth experiences and childbirth self-efficacy represents both an innovative and needs-based approach.

Aims and Objectives:
This study was planned to examine the effect of WhatsApp-based midwife support given in the late pregnancy period on women’s birth experiences and self-efficacy for normal birth. Expected Benefit: Digital support facilitates pregnant women’s access to information, strengthens their birth preparation processes, and can make their birth experiences more positive.

Methods:
The universe of the study consisted of primiparous pregnant women in their last trimester who applied to the gynecology and obstetrics clinics of a university hospital. The sample size was calculated as 74 people with power analysis using the G*power program. Of them, 37 were assigned to the experimental group and 37 to the control group (power: 95%, effect size; 0.773, and margin of error: 5%). After the purpose of the study was explained, the experimental and control groups were selected randomly from the pregnant women who accepted to participate in the study with their verbal and written consents and met the study criteria. The pregnant women in the experimental group were given counseling via WhatsApp in the last trimester, and the control group continued their routine care. After birth, the experimental and control groups filled out the Personal Information Form, Self-Efficacy Scale for Normal Birth, Childbirth Experience Scale and Postpartum Information Form.

Results:
The mean age of the mothers in the experimental and control groups was 27.43±4.65 and 28.96±4.81, and no difference was observed between the sociodemographic characteristics of the women. The experimental group’s self-efficacy scores regarding vaginal birth were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed according to variables such as education, income, or age, which allows us to attribute the effect to the intervention program itself. The main birth experience score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). Women evaluated the birth process as more positive, controlled and satisfying. In the intervention group rate of non-intervention birth was significantly higher (p=0.003), initiation of breastfeeding and skin to skin contact occurred earlier (p=0.04). Birth satisfaction was significantly higher (p=0.014) and all women believed that midwifery led care is important (p=0.01).

Conclusion:
WhatsApp midwife birth support line positively affects women’s self-sufficiency and birth experiences towards birth. As a result, according to the findings of this study, it can be said that continuity is important in midwifery birth support counseling and that programs with continuity will positively affect women’s birth self-efficacy and birth experiences. In this context, it is recommended to increase WhatsApp midwife counseling as it will be an effective and economical application.