Summary This study tested the hypothesis that women electing birth modes requiring high personal control over the birth process would score higher on internal locus of control than women electing birth modes requiring them to share control with medical professionals. The sample consisted of 45 women who birthed at home and 170 women who birthed in hospital situations (Caesarian, Traditional/Aware, and Natural). These women returned questionnaires containing background information, childbirth attitudes, a parenthood adjustment checklist, and Rotter's Locus of Control Scale. No significant differences were found between groups on mean age, education, general, personal, or societal locus of control scores. However, women who retained the most personal control over birth mode were five times more likely than women from other birth modes to refuse to complete Rotter's Locus of Control Scale. This finding suggests the possibility that Rotter's I-E Scale may elicit response bias from certain Ss.