Aim. The research was mainly aimed at the assessment of the relation between the efficiency awareness level of pregnant women and selected aspects of the course of childbirth. Material and methods. The study involved 234 women at 38 –42 weeks of the gestation with the proper course who were divided into two groups: I – 96 women with a low and medium sense of self-efficacy and II – 138 women with a high sense of self-efficacy. The following were analysed amongst the indicators of the course of childbirth: childbirth duration time, own activity level during childbirth, application of painkillers, newborn child's condition, parturition method and subjective evaluation of childbirth. The research was performed using the personal survey, the General Self-Efficacy Scale – GSES questionnaire and data collected from the documentation of the hospital record. In general self-efficacy evaluation, the standard ten scale was used to describe the efficacy level of the women involved in research. Results. Women with a normal course of pregnancy characterized by high levels of generalized efficiency – 30.19 – compared to the average Polish – 27.32. The childbirth duration time, own activity level, application of painkillers, parturition method did not differ between women with different levels of the GSES. Women who gave birth in a better condition, found high competence and were satisfied with the staff care, had higher self-efficacy. Conclusions. The course of delivery is probably more dependent on the biophysical properties of women, and self-efficacy plays a stimulating, not determining role.

Key words: General Self-Efficacy Scale, pregnant women, childbirth.