Empowering Mantras For Pregnancy and Birth

If you are anything like me, you LOVE a good mantra. There’s nothing like the comfort of a motivating chant or inspirational statement when we need a big boost of encouragement to push us forward. Usually we employ these mantras in the form of a word or phrase that can be repeated in rhythm; something along the lines of “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” But did you know that Mantra is a Sanskrit word derived from two Sanskrit roots: manas meaning ‘mind’ and tra meaning ‘tool’? These mind tools have been used in yogic practices since the early Vedic period (1000 BC). In his book, Understanding Mantras, Harvey Alper states, “The literal translation of Vedic mantras suggests that the function of mantra…was to cope with the uncertainties and dilemmas of daily life.” Ina May Gaskin, the mother of authentic midwifery, supports this thought in her book, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, “This technique, called mantra in the Hindu tradition, is quite effective in dealing with deep fears, since the very act of making positive statements is empowering.”

Speaking to my own experience, giving birth to my daughter has remained the biggest, hardest, coolest thing I have ever done. (Understatement?) Using breathwork and mantra helped me manage the intensity and length of my contractions with more bravery than I would have been able to otherwise, and to stay present during my 40+ hour labor.

In honor of that, here is a growing list of empowering mantras for pregnancy and birth for you to use in your own birth journey, wherever it may take you. Memorize and call forward the entire mantra, or shorten it and hold on to one phrase to repeat in rhythm. However you use them, I hope these mantras bring you as much strength and support as they did me.

For pregnancy:

I listen to my body when it needs rest.
I nourish myself and my baby with stillness.

May I be happy, peaceful, and free from all suffering.
May my baby be happy, peaceful, and free from all suffering.
May my family be happy, peaceful, and free from all suffering.

My body’s strength and flexibility reflect my inner strength and flexibility.

I release worry over things I cannot control.
I allow room for what is meant to be, to be.

My intuition is powerful.
I strengthen my intuition by trusting it and responding to its guidance.

I embrace my changing body.
I welcome the way it softens and expands to make space for my growing baby.

For pregnancy after loss + rainbow baby:

I release myself from fear. I am open to this new journey.

I am a perfect home for my baby.
My body is perfectly designed to grow my baby.
My body is perfectly designed to birth my baby.

I am overcoming my fears and becoming stronger each day.

For labor:

I trust my body. I trust my baby. I trust the process.
(I trust my body. I trust my baby. I trust my team.)

This contraction is bringing me closer to meeting my child.

I can. I am!
We can. We are!

OK baby, OK baby, OK baby…
(Could also insert child’s name here. ie OK Joni, OK Joni, OK Joni...)

I am OK. Baby is OK. I can do this.

It’s OK to be scared, but I am brave.

Soften…soften…soften.
I am soft. I am open.

I have everything I need to birth my baby.