Table 3 A summary of expressed beliefs by women with and without previous childbirth experience

Pain

Expressed positive attitudes towards pain tolerance during vaginal delivery

Expressed worries about pain for vaginal delivery

Fear

No fear expressed

Expressed fear of fetal injury, and unexpected delivery date

Main desire

Experience of a real motherhood

Like to keep body shape

Embarrassment and discomfort

Not mentioned

Mentioned embarrassment and discomfort with vaginal delivery

Views on mode of delivery

Viewed vaginal delivery as natural and normal

Viewed vaginal delivery as suffering

Overall expressed preference for mode of delivery

Vaginal delivery

Cesarean section