Birth Satisfaction Scale – BSS

I coped well with my birth.

The delivery room staff encouraged me to make decisions about how I wanted my birth to progress.

I was well prepared for my labour, i.e., read a lot of literature and/or attended parenthood education classes.

I found giving birth a distressing experience.

I came through childbirth virtually unscathed.

I gave birth to a healthy normal baby.

During labour I received outstanding medical care.

I received a lot of medical intervention, i.e., induction, forceps, section etc.

I had a swift and speedy labour.

I felt well supported by my partner during labour and birth.

I was encouraged to hold my baby for a substantial amount of time after birth.

My birth experience was considerably different from what I intended.

I had the same midwife throughout the entire process of labour and delivery.

I felt that the delivery room was unthreatening and comfortable.

I felt very anxious during my labour and birth.

I felt out of control during my birth experience.

I felt it was better not to know in advance about the processes of giving birth.

I was not distressed at all during labour.

I felt mutilated by my birth experience.

My baby was avoidably hurt during birth.

The staff provided me with insufficient medical care during my birth.

I had a natural labour, i.e., minimal medical intervention.

I thought my labour was excessively long.

I felt well supported by staff during my labour and birth.

I was separated from my baby for a considerable period of time after my birth.

My birth proceeded as I planned it.

The staff communicated well with me during labour.

The delivery room was clean and hygienic.

Giving birth was incredibly painful.

Labour was not as painful as I imagined.