Effect of Pecha Kucha-Based Normal Birth Education on Birth Beliefs and Mode of Birth Preferences Among Pregnant Women Considering Elective Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Cesarean section rates have increased substantially worldwide and represent an important public health concern. In addition to medical indications, maternal preference has emerged as a contributing factor to elective cesarean section. Women's beliefs about childbirth are known to influence their delivery preferences. Belief in birth as a natural process is associated with viewing childbirth as a normal and safe physiological event, whereas belief in birth as a medical process is associated with perceiving childbirth as potentially dangerous and requiring medical intervention. Prenatal education provided by healthcare professionals may influence these beliefs and subsequently affect women's birth preferences.

Pecha Kucha is a structured presentation technique consisting of 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each, resulting in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The method emphasizes concise communication through visual materials and has been reported to facilitate attention, comprehension, and retention of information. Although the Pecha Kucha technique has been used in various health education settings, evidence regarding its effectiveness in antenatal education is limited.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Pecha Kucha-based normal birth education on birth beliefs and mode of birth preferences among pregnant women considering elective cesarean section.

Study Design This study was conducted as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial between March 2025 and June 2025 in Family Health Centers affiliated with a district Health Directorate in southern Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group using a simple randomization method. Women who met the eligibility criteria were allocated by drawing numbered papers from a box.

Participants The study included primiparous pregnant women who were at least 20 years of age, between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation, considering elective cesarean section without a medical indication, able to read and speak Turkish, and willing to participate. Women with maternal or fetal conditions requiring cesarean delivery and those who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. A total of 76 participants completed the study, including 38 women in the experimental group and 38 women in the control group.