Fetal Images Through Virtual Reality During Labor

Aim: This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of viewing personalized fetal images through a virtual reality (VR) headset during labor on childbirth comfort, maternal attachment, and perceived traumatic childbirth. Methods: The study will include primiparous pregnant women at 28-32 weeks of gestation who voluntarily agree to participate and provide consent for fetal image recording. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. During labor, women in the intervention group will view their own personalized fetal images accompanied by fetal heart sounds through a VR headset for at least four minutes, with the option to continue viewing if desired. The control group will receive routine intrapartum care. Data will be collected using the Pregnant Woman Descriptive Information Form, Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire, Maternal Attachment Scale, and Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, including independent-samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, and chi-square test, as appropriate. Statistical significance will be set at p \< 0.05.

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women aged 18 years or older * Primiparous women * Gestational age of 28-32 weeks at the time of eligibility assessment * Singleton pregnancy * Able to communicate in Turkish * Willing to participate in the study * Able to provide written informed consent for study participation and recording of personalized fetal ultrasound images. Exclusion Criteria: * Indication for elective cesarean delivery * Visual or hearing impairment that could interfere with the intervention * Maternal or fetal medical complications * Pregnancy conceived through assisted reproductive techniques