Objective: The aim was to investigate fear of childbirth (FOC) and sense of coherence (SOC), and their components in women expecting their first child. Methods: A cross-sectional study where 414 women answered the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire Version A and the Sense of Coherence Scale. Statistical analyses were performed. Results: The main results show that women with severe FOC reported lower SOC, and all three components of SOC were lower in women with severe FOC. Comprehensibility turned out to have a significant correlation with FOC. Psychological problems before pregnancy were more common in women with severe FOC and low SOC. Conclusions: Women with severe FOC reported lower SOC and lower levels of each of the following components: comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness.