Background and Aims Traumatic perceptions of childbirth and beliefs about the birth process may influence the emotional bond formed between a mother and her unborn baby. This study aimed to examine the relationships between traumatic birth perception, birth beliefs, and prenatal attachment in pregnant women. Methods This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between December 2024 and June 2025 in the antenatal outpatient clinic of a hospital located in the Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. A total of 390 pregnant individuals who attended the clinic during the study period were included. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale (TCPS), the Birth Beliefs Scale (BBS), and the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS). Results The participants had a mean age of 24.23 ± 3.70 years, and most were in the third trimester of pregnancy (72.6 %). Overall, participants reported moderate levels of traumatic childbirth perception and relatively high prenatal attachment. Correlation analyses indicated a statistically significant but small negative association between traumatic childbirth perception and prenatal attachment (r = − 0.155, p < 0.01). Prenatal attachment was also positively associated with beliefs that conceptualize childbirth as a natural process; however, this relationship was likewise small in magnitude (rs = 0.103, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis further showed that traumatic childbirth perception was a significant but small negative predictor of prenatal attachment (β = − 0.157, p < 0.01). Conclusion Traumatic childbirth perception was inversely associated with prenatal attachment, whereas beliefs that conceptualize childbirth as a natural process were positively associated with prenatal attachment. The findings suggest that addressing traumatic childbirth perceptions and supporting positive childbirth beliefs may be relevant considerations in antenatal care practices aimed at promoting prenatal attachment.