Perceptions of traumatic birth in Turkish films and television series

Abstract

This study examines the impact of media depictions of childbirth on viewers' perceptions, particularly regarding fear and anxiety caused by traumatic birth scenes in Turkish TV series and films on YouTube. In December 2022, 240 childbirth-related videos were identified using keywords Birth videos, Birth scenes, and Birth footage. After applying specific criteria, 80 Turkish-language videos were analyzed through quantitative content analysis using SPSS 25.0. Key findings reveal that 98.8% of depicted births were vaginal, with 41.3% in hospitals and 60.0% being preterm. Sudden pain and panic were prominent, with 32.5% of scenes inducing fear, and 63.8% describing pain as unbearable. Themes included maternal/neonatal death fears, spousal support, and privacy. Such portrayals influence reproductive health perceptions, potentially increasing cesarean rates. Addressing inaccurate representations can help promote positive childbirth perceptions. Collaboration between media creators and healthcare professionals is essential for improving maternal and societal outcomes. (Afr J Reprod Health 2025; 29 [4]: 159-166).