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Abstract
Aspects of perceived choice and control were investigated in 46 pregnant women attending different styles of childbirth preparation class. Women who elected to attend one of two ‘alternative’ styles of class tended to express higher levels of perceived choice and control on standardized scales and over a wide range of qualitative issues than those attending an NHS class. They were also more mentally healthy with fewer depressive symptoms. While the NHS class with weak beliefs in internal pain control attach least importance to choices in childbirth, the alternative group with the strongest beliefs in personal control did not attach most importance to choice. Some conceptual and practical implications are discussed.