Peace in Christ During Pregnancy and Birth

Peace During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a very stressful time. Imagining what giving birth will be like, worrying about possible complications, experiencing morning sickness, having random aches and pains… It’s no wonder some expectant mothers have depression and anxiety! 

So how can we find joy in the journey while caring for our unborn little angels? Is it even possible? 

Well on our own, no. But “with God, all things are possible”. 

Prayer Works!

When I was roughly 5-7 months pregnant in the grocery store, I remember feeling very fatigued and uncomfortable. I felt like it took so much effort just to walk up and down the aisles. I think we were in the hygiene aisle when I decided to offer a silent prayer for help. 

I told God that I needed assistance from His Son, Jesus Christ. I was willing to accept it and I knew He could give me the strength needed to finish this shopping trip. I imagined Jesus walking with me, and it dawned on me that He also knew what this felt like. He had experienced all of our pains, sicknesses, and infirmities so that He may know how to assist us in our time of need (Alma 7:11-13). I felt so much more peace and strength as I held the vision of my Savior walking with me through the store, full of complete understanding. 

Faith vs Fear

I think the hardest part about being pregnant is worrying if the baby will be alright. Many women experience the heartache of miscarriages, still-born babies, or birth complications. I don’t blame anyone who stays up all night wondering how it will all turn out at the end of this labor of love. However, there is a better way to live. 

Christ has told us, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not”. Since doubt and fear are the opposite of faith, we cannot have both at the same time. As we look to Christ like Peter did while walking on the water, we will be able to cross the raging sea ahead of us. If we choose to focus on our fear of the storm, we will start to drown. 

I found that having a faith-based outlook on my pregnancy and birth made a significant difference on my levels of anxiety. By envisioning what I wanted to happen rather than what I did not want to happen, I felt optimistic and confident that all would be well. I knew that God would be there with me during the birth of my baby, and I knew that He would help me get through any challenges that would come my way. This way of thinking allowed me to feel Christ helping me carry the heavy burden of bringing a child into the world. 

Peace During Birth

The power of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, can also help bring peace into labor and delivery. 

When I was in the midst of labor and delivery, things didn’t go exactly as I had envisioned them. I had wanted to labor at home, but I had to be in the hospital because some amniotic fluid was leaking. I wanted labor to start all on it’s own, but it took the midwife fully breaking my water to finally get things moving. I expected to be lying in bed for a few hours with my baby after she was born, but instead I was whisked off to the operating room after holding her for just 15 minutes. 

Although this may sound disastrous, I was able to obtain peace from God throughout these events. My husband and I said a prayer when we discovered I would have to stay in the hospital for my labor, and he gave me a blessing from God that our baby and I would be healthy. Because of the peace that came from this blessing and my faith in God’s power to help me, I felt relaxed and trusted all would be well. Even if I had the slightest doubt about whether I would be alright, it was swept away at the memory of Chase blessing me that I would be healthy. 

Trust God, and You can Get Through Anything!

So if you find yourself worrying at all about the journey ahead, remember that Christ is there to walk this path with you. Things may or may not go how you planned, but know that He can help you find peace no matter the outcome.

Want to learn more about having a fear-free pregnancy and birth? The book, Birth Without Fear, helped me understand how to be empowered and take control over my pregnancy and birth.