Birth affirmations/mantras & Scriptures

Birth affirmations help guide you during labor to prepare you mentally for what is about to happen. Chanting a mantra is a great way to help keep you focused on what is happening when you feel your mind starting to spiral and you need that boost of inner strength. Below you will find a list of affirmations that I have compiled, some through my own research and suggested from other birth professionals. If you have more to add, feel free!

***Suggestion: it may be helpful to print or write them down on little cards to have on hand during labor.

I want to meet my baby

I’m ready to meet my baby

When this is over, I’ll be starting a new journey with my baby

This is something I must experience and endure and I’m more than capable

Each wave brings me one step closer

I am in control

I have given my consent. Nothing will happen without my consent

Yes, we had a change of plans, but everything is still okay

I am surrounded by people who care about me and my baby

I trust in my body’s ability to have this baby

I embrace and welcome the sensations I am feeling right now

The more I am able to relax, the better my body is able to transition through this labor

This labor/contraction/pressure is intense, but I am focused on getting past it

This music is very soothing and helping me to relax

I can feel my baby moving closer to entering this world

My baby is the perfect size for my body

Birth is amazing no matter how it happens

My baby will arrive at the perfect time

My birth partner is by my side and on my side

I am surrounded by people whom I can trust

I give myself permission to relax

I give myself permission to express myself however I need to

I feel safe, secure, and loved

I can birth calmly and confidently wherever I am

I trust my body; it knows what to do

I am focused on a smooth, comfortable birth

My baby and I are working together

The more I relax, the more my body softens and expands

The pain that I'm feeling cannot compare to the joy that's coming

Each wave of labor brings me closer to holding my baby in my arms

The moment I'm ready to quit is the moment right before the miracle happens

I am prepared and ready for childbirth

I accept this labor. It is the right one for me and my baby

The power and intensity of my contractions cannot be stronger than me. They are me.

2 Chronicles 15:7 - But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Psalm 30:5 - For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 40:13 - Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.

Psalm 55:22 - Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 61:2 - From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 121:1-3 - I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 40:1- I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 29:11 - The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 127:3 - Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

Psalm 91:4 - He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 23:1-4 - The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 94:18-19 - When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Isaiah 26:3-4 - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

James 4:8 - Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Proverbs 29:25 - Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Isaiah 59:1 - Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

Isaiah 40:29 - He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1-2 - But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:21 - A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

2 Timothy 4:17 - But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

Esther 4:14 - For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?