Positive birth Affirmations
How often have you told yourself “I can do this” before stepping into a daunting situation?
Yet that mini positive affirmation is just enough to get you to take that first step… This may sound a bit simple, and even wishful thinking, but it has roots in neuroscience and research has shown that there are physical and mental benefits to repeating affirmations.
What are positive affirmations and how do they work?
Positive affirmations are short, specific and encouraging statements designed to challenge and replace self-doubt and negative thoughts. When you use an affirmation, it activates the part of the brain called the Reticular Activating System (RAS). The RAS acts like a filter, helping our brains decide what’s important enough to notice.
Think about it like this: if you’re pregnant or planning a family, suddenly it seems like you see pregnant people everywhere. They didn’t all just appear overnight—your RAS has simply started bringing things to your attention that align with your current focus.
This same brain mechanism comes into play when you use affirmations. So, when you tell yourself, “I can do this,” your RAS starts picking up on evidence in your life that reinforces that belief. It helps you tune out the negative and focus on the positive, which is a huge mental shift in itself.
Over time, consistently using affirmations can shape your belief system. And once you truly believe in something, you’re far more likely to achieve it because those doubts you once had no longer stand in your way.
How will positive affirmations help me with birth?
Many people feel vulnerable or fearful about birth. Our minds are often filled with negative portrayals from films, TV, sensational headlines, and even horror stories from friends—even though these rarely represent most birth experiences. Unfortunately, fear during birth can interfere with oxytocin production (the hormone essential for labour) and even intensify sensations of pain, which is why we aim to reduce it.
Positive affirmations about birth can help rewire your brain to focus on supportive, empowering thoughts instead of defaulting to fear. Affirmations work best when they are specific and personal. For example, if you feel anxious about the safety of birth - even though it is statically “very safe” (The Birthplace Cohort Study, 2011), an affirmation like “Birth is safe for me and my baby” can help you challenge and shift those deep-seated fears.
Top Tips for using positive birth affirmations
Download and print out my free affirmation cards which I have also shared below, and stick them up EVERYWHERE! The more you see and read them, the more ingrained it will be on your subconscious. We’re thinking:
mirrors
the fridge
next to your computer
your screensaver
cupboard doors
exercise equipment
Write your own affirmations, ones that speak to you in your voice and are personal to your own feelings. You might like sweary affirmations, or ones with spiritual or metaphorical themes. You might want to reframe your thinking around your pain levels, or putting trust in your own body.
Affirmations should be grounded in the present, as if it is already happening, starting with “I do” or “I am”. Avoid and try not to highlight the negative, instead aim to change negative sentiments into positive messages.
Say them out loud when you are in a place where you feel comfortable. But for times where that isn’t possible, you can always listen to positive birth affirmations. There are loads of tracks to choose from on Youtube and Spotify. You can also use this listening time to practice your hypnobirthing breathing!
Stick them up in your birth room when you are in labour to give you a powerful boost of confidence!
REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT! Affirmations will only make a real difference if you repeat them frequently and often. Incorporate this into your preparation for birth and hypnobirthing practice.
