12 Birth Affirmations for an Empowering Delivery

Welcoming your baby into the world can be a transformative experience While labor and delivery often bring excitement and joy, it’s also completely normal to feel a full range of emotions; the road to delivery isn’t always easy, and if you’ve had a difficult pregnancy, or previous negative birth experiences, walking into the hospital or birthing center can be downright terrifying. In those moments, birth affirmations are a powerful tool to tap into a sense of inner calm, focus, and confidence that you can deliver your baby safely. 

What are birth affirmations?

Birth affirmations are positive statements designed to encourage, empower, and ground you during labor and delivery. Whether spoken aloud or repeated internally, when practiced regularly throughout pregnancy, birth affirmations can shift your mindset, reduce anxiety, and build confidence in your ability to handle childbirth. Whether you're planning a medicated birth, hoping for a natural birth, or learning about free birth, affirmations can help you trust your body, connect with your birth partner, and prepare yourself for your little one’s arrival.

How to use birth affirmations

Incorporating birth affirmations into your birth plan is simple and can be highly effective. Here are some practical tips to get started:

1. Practice Daily: Begin using affirmations in the weeks leading up to your due date. Repeat them out loud, write them in a journal, or place them on sticky notes around your home where you’ll see them and say them often.
2. Create a Visual Reminder: Keep your affirmations in your hospital bag by printing them out or writing them on cards for easy reference during labor.
3. Involve Your Support Person: Share your chosen affirmations with your birth doula, partner, or birthing coach so they can repeat them when you need extra encouragement.
4. Pair with Deep Breathing: Affirmations are even more powerful when combined with deep breathing exercises for labor. Patterned breathing exercises activate the vagus nerve, a parasympathetic response to signal your body to calm down.

12 Empowering Birth Affirmations

Here are twelve affirmations to inspire strength, trust, and positivity during your labor and delivery:

1. "My body knows how to birth my baby."
2. "Each wave brings me closer to meeting my baby."
3. "I am strong, capable, and prepared for this moment."
4. "I trust my body and its incredible ability to give birth."
5. "I breathe deeply and stay calm with every contraction."
6. "I surrender to the power of my body and allow it to open."
7. "I release fear and embrace my inner strength."
8. "My baby is working with my body for a safe delivery."
9. "I am surrounded by love, support, and positivity."
10. "I can handle whatever comes my way."
11. "I am safe, my baby is safe, and we are doing this together."
12. "With each deep breath, I grow stronger and more relaxed."

Can birth affirmations help reduce anxiety?

Birth affirmations are designed to calm your mind, reframe negative thoughts, and reinforce your ability to manage pain and stay in control. By repeating these powerful statements, you can replace fear with trust in your body and baby. Many people find affirmations particularly helpful during moments of self-doubt or when labor intensifies.

Birth affirmations are a simple yet impactful way to build confidence and create a positive mindset for your delivery. By practicing affirmations, involving your support person, and combining them with deep breathing, you can reduce anxiety and feel empowered throughout your birthing experience. Whether you're giving birth at home, in a hospital, or in a birth center, these affirmations can help you stay calm, strong, and focused every step of the way.