A birth mantra or affirmation is a positive statement and intention for the pregnancy or birth experience. A mama may select her own affirmation or affirmations and repeat it/them to herself or out loud during times of relaxation, upon waking and going to sleep, during the birth experience, or any time she needs encouragement during pregnancy or labor.
Positive birth affirmations can profoundly affect our outlook and our experiences—the thoughts we choose about our birth can seep into the unconscious and powerfully influence our actual experiences. They can calm, relax, encourage and support us as we move through our journeys of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood.
Birth affirmations tend to be the most powerful when they are set in the present tense (as if they are happening to us right now). Writing them down in a journal or something you hang in your space and repeating them often also make affirmations more potent. During labor, you may even want your support team to repeat your chosen mantras to you.
We asked a few of our mamas-to-be to share their current or favorite birth affirmation. Here’s what they shared:
I was made to do this – Leah
I get to make all the decisions about my birth – Cassie
I am strong. I can do this! – Hanni
I trust my body – Angie
I am strong enough – Michaela
Here is a list of other birth affirmations expectant mamas can browse to find something that perfectly resonates with them.