Midwife—Pregnant Woman Communication in Maternity Care: A Qualitative Assessment Based on Student Experiences

Communication between midwives and pregnant woman during childbirth significantly affects both pregnant woman’s birth experiences and the professional development of midwifery students. Empathy-, trust-, and mutual understanding-based communication shapes students’ professional identity and motivation through the behaviors they observe in clinical practice. This study aimed to explore midwife—pregnant woman communication qualitatively through the experiences of midwifery students. Conducted with a descriptive phenomenological design, the study involved third- and fourth-year midwifery students at a state university in Southeastern Turkey. Using purposive sampling, 45 students participated in semi-structured individual interviews. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using descriptive content analysis. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Analysis revealed four main themes and seventeen subthemes. A significant proportion of students emphasized empathy- and trust-based communication, whereas most reported witnessing negative communication, including verbal violence and mistreatment. These experiences elicited emotional responses such as empathy, helplessness, and anger; some students reported increased professional motivation, while others expressed a decline. Strengthening effective communication between midwives and pregnant woman is essential for both professional education and the quality of childbirth experiences. Integrating communication-focused courses and practical training into midwifery programs is recommended.