Participants selected for the psychometric
development of the scale were representative
of the final target group in future research.
In addition, the measure was administered
under conditions that resembled those that
would exist for the target group. Hence data
was collected from different phases of birth.
We developed the scale with two different
samples in two subsequent studies. Written
informed consent was obtained from
pregnant female participants for both studies
on their visit to the antenatal clinic in the
city of Linltoping, Sweden. Inclusion criteria
in both studies were: Swedish speaking, a
delivery start in pregnancy week 2 36, cervix
dilatation 2 3 cm and regular contractions.
Exclusion criteria were: epidural anesthesia
or paracervical block, or a pregnancy complication
that required medical treatment (e.g.
pre-eclampsia). Women participated once,
either when they had a cervix dilatation of
3-5 cm (phase one) or of 6-10 cm (phase two)