Affirmations for Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Hey there, parents-to-be.  I wanted to share with you a few affirmations that you can use to get your mind, body, and spirit prepared for birth.  

How affirmations can help you in labor

Affirmations can actually do a lot during labor, not in a magic way, but in a brain-science way. Here’s how they help:

1. They calm your nervous system

Saying things like “My body knows what to do” can slow your breathing and quiet the stress response. That helps your body make more oxytocin (the labor hormone) and less adrenaline (the stress one).

2. They shift your mindset

Labor is intense. Your thoughts can spiral fast. Affirmations give your brain something steady to focus on—something positive and grounding. It’s like interrupting panic with a mini pep talk.

3. They give you a sense of control

You can’t control how fast your labor progresses, but you can control what you say to yourself. Repeating affirmations gives you an anchor when things feel overwhelming.

4. They help your birth team support you

If your doula or partner knows your favorite affirmations, they can repeat them to you when you forget. It’s a way to stay connected and supported.

Bottom line: Affirmations aren’t fluff. They’re a legit tool for staying focused, calm, and strong—especially when things get hard.

How to use affirmations in pregnancy, labor and birth

There is no wrong way to use these affirmations - you can say them to yourself in the mirror, set a reminder on your phone that pops one up at a random time in the day, or write them on a sticky note and put it on your car steering wheel.  

In my experience, affirmations really work, but I have to be willing to try them and give them some time. Usually when I start using an affirmation, it doesn't really feel true for me, or "real" at first. 

For instance, let's say I'm using the affirmation "my body is amazing and perfect exactly as it is right now."  At first, I feel like I'm just reciting a line that isn't really hitting home in my heart.  My inner critic chimes in with, "this is silly....your body isn't THAT amazing....you know you could stand to change a few things..." and on and on. 

But the funny thing is, the more I say the affirmation, write it, sing it, whatever, the more true it begins to feel for me.  And then suddenly it really hits, and a lightbulb goes on.  I think to myself, "Wow, yes! My body IS amazing and perfect exactly as it is right now!"  and my inner critic slinks away to hang out in the dark corner where it lives. 

So I invite you to give these a try.  Just pick one affirmation at first and use it until it hits home and feels true for you.  Then move on to the next one.

Finding your ideal birth affirmations

We've given you a bunch of suggested affirmations our doula clients often enjoy below. If you don't love these particular affirmations, guess what? You can MAKE UP YOUR OWN! Just listen to that inner critic for 15 seconds and see what it's telling you right now.  Is it saying that you're not doing enough to prepare for labor? Is it saying that you ate too much at brunch? Is it saying that you're going to be a crappy mom?  

Well, just turn those statements around and create an affirmation around it.  For instance: Change "I'm not doing enough to prepare for labor" to "Every day I become more ready to welcome my baby into my life."  

Change "I ate too much at brunch" to "I nourish my body with healthy foods, and enjoy every bite that I eat."  

Change "I'm going to be a crappy mom" to "I am ready to learn and grow into the mother I am meant to be."  See?  You can totally create affirmations around anything you want! 

Here are some pregnancy and birth affirmations to get you started! 

There is no better time for me to be having my baby.

My body is perfect exactly as it is.

Every day I become more ready to be a parent. 

I trust my body and trust my instincts. I ride the waves of change, knowing that I will be brought safely to shore.

My baby is coming at exactly the right time. 

I can't wait to meet my baby.

My pregnancy is progressing exactly as it should.

I breathe in peace, and exhale any stress in my body. 

There is nothing important enough to stress me. 

I can do this! 

We hope you're feeling better already! A simple affirmation can make a big difference - even if you feel a whole bunch of resistance at first. Trust us :)