The power of positive affirmations for TTC, pregnancy & postpartum
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In this article
The quiet power of words: My personal journey The science behind affirmations: How words rewire your brain Positive affirmations for trying to conceive (TTC) Grounding pregnancy affirmations for each trimester Healing postpartum affirmations for new moms How to create a daily affirmation practice Your sacred journey: Speaking light over yourself Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related articles
The quiet power of words: My personal journey
As an OB-GYN nurse practitioner, I spent years walking alongside women as they welcomed their babies into the world. I was there, holding hands, coaching breathing, whispering encouragement. On the surface, it might have looked like I had it all figured out. But what most people didnât see was the ache I carried home each night. I was caring for new mothers every day⌠while struggling with my own fertility journey.
It was both inspiring and heartbreakingâlike watching a sunrise that everyone else could step into, while I was still waiting in the shadows.
In those quiet moments, I clung to two things: affirmations and prayer. Speaking gentle truths over myself, especially positive affirmations for trying to conceive when I barely believed them, gave me the strength to keep going. Then, after months of waiting, our miracle arrivedâa positive test, and soon after, our beautiful son, Owen. That moment changed everything.
So today, I want to share with you what I learned about the power of positive affirmations for TTC, pregnancy & postpartum. We'll explore why these words matter, how they can carry you through each unique stage, and how you can weave them into your daily rhythm.
The science behind affirmations: How words rewire your brain
Hereâs the thing: affirmations arenât just âfeel-good quotesâ or trendy Instagram captions. Theyâre powerful tools for mental and emotional well-being.
From a medical perspective, consistent affirmations influence neuroplasticityâyour brain's ability to form new neural pathways. When you repeat a phrase like, âMy body is wise and capable,â youâre not just throwing words into the air. Youâre actively creating new thought patterns, nudging your brain away from cycles of fear and stress and toward a mindset of trust and calm.
Think of it like creating a well-worn path in your mind. The more you walk it, the easier it becomes to follow. And when combined with prayer, the words hold even more depthâthey become both a personal mantra and a sacred conversation.
Positive affirmations for trying to conceive (TTC)
If youâre in the season of trying to conceive, you know how emotionally loaded each month can feel. Hope. Disappointment. The endless two-week wait. And if youâre preparing for IVF, the emotional and physical stakes feel even higher.
During my own TTC journey, using daily affirmations for fertility became a lifeline. These simple words, spoken daily, reminded me that I was more than my lab results, more than the ticking clock, and more than the tests on my bathroom counter.
Here are a few powerful positive affirmations for trying to conceive:
âI trust the timing of my life and my fertility journey.â
âMy body is preparing in the best way possible to welcome a child.â
âI release the need for control and embrace the process with peace.â
âI am whole, worthy, and lovedâno matter the outcome of this cycle.â
âI am creating a safe and welcoming space for my baby.â
Pairing these with prayer shifted my perspective. I wasnât just repeating phrases; I was offering them up, releasing control, and letting something bigger than myself hold the weight I couldnât.
If youâre preparing for IVF, you can adapt these phrases. Find more support in our guide on How to prepare for IVF.
Grounding pregnancy affirmations for each trimester
Pregnancy is often painted as glowing smiles and bump photos, but anyone whoâs been there knows itâs more complex. Thereâs joy, yes, but also nausea, aches, and those middle-of-the-night worries about the babyâs well-being.
Pregnancy affirmations can meet you right there, grounding you when your mind spirals. A few that I leaned on and often share with patients:
âMy baby feels safe, loved, and held within me.â
âEvery change in my body is a sign of life and growth.â
âI breathe in calm for myself and my baby; I breathe out tension.â
âI am strong, capable, and designed for this experience.â
âI trust my body to nourish and protect my growing baby.â
I would repeat these during a prenatal yoga stretch, while riding my peloton bike or while rubbing belly oil on my skin at night. It turned an ordinary moment into a small ritual of connection and care.
Looking for gentle movement ideas? Movement plus affirmations is a powerful combination. Check out our guide on  Safe Pregnancy Workouts.
Healing postpartum affirmations for new moms
Hereâs where things often get raw. Postpartum is beautifulâbut itâs also messy. Sleepless nights, a body that feels unfamiliar, and emotions that can swing hard from joy to tears. Society pressures us to âbounce back,â but healing is not a race.
Postpartum affirmations for new moms reminded me to be gentle with myself. They became a way to quiet the noise of comparison and honor my own pace of recovery.
Some affirmations for this tender stage:
âI am allowed to rest, heal, and recover at my own pace.â
âI am learning, my baby is learningâwe are growing together.â
âMy worth is not defined by my productivity or how quickly I recover.â
âI am the perfect mother for my baby.â
âIt is okay to ask for and accept help.â
Lighting an affirmation candle became part of my postpartum routine. The soft glow and the intentional words helped turn moments of survival into a rhythm of renewal.
How to create a daily affirmation practice
The key to making affirmations work isnât perfectionâitâs consistency. A phrase spoken once is a whisper. A phrase spoken daily becomes a core belief.
Here are a few simple ways how to use affirmations:
Morning ritual: Light a candle, place a hand on your heart, and say one affirmation aloud three times.
Mirror notes: Place sticky notes with your favorite affirmations on your bathroom or bedroom mirror for a visual nudge.
Journaling: End the day by writing a phrase in your journal, pairing it with a short prayer or note of gratitude.
Mindful breathing: Inhale while thinking âI am calm,â and exhale while thinking âI release fear.â
It doesnât have to be grand. What matters is that youâre consistently feeding your heart and mind the words they need to hear.
Light a flame of hope: Our affirmation candles
Hand-poured with love, each affirmation candle is made to honor your unique journey, whether you're quietly hoping, growing new life, or healing after birth. Paired with a heartfelt message that speaks to your heart, lighting one creates an instant daily ritual, a tangible flame for your hopes and a quiet moment of stillness. It's the perfect gift for yourself or a thoughtful embrace for someone you love walking this sacred path.
Your sacred journey: Speaking light over yourself
When I look back at my story, I see a thread of words carrying me through. These affirmations and prayers didnât erase the struggleâbut they reframed it. They gave me courage on the days I felt small and perspective on the days I couldnât see the bigger picture.
When Owen finally arrived, I realized that the words Iâd been speaking werenât just holding space for hopeâthey were shaping me into the mother I was meant to become.
So wherever you areâusing positive affirmations for trying to conceive, growing a new life, or cradling your newbornâlet these words be part of your rhythm. Let them remind you of your worth, your strength, and your sacred journey.
And if youâd like a gentle companion along the way, our  affirmation candles at Awaiting the Stork are made for this very purpose: to give you a moment of calm, a flicker of light, and a phrase to hold onto. Because sometimes, the smallest words we speak to ourselves become our biggest lifelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you use affirmations for fertility?
Start by choosing 1-3 affirmations that resonate with you, such as "I trust my body's wisdom." Repeat them daily, either aloud or in a journal, especially during stressful moments like the two-week wait. The goal is to shift your focus from anxiety to hope.
Do affirmations really work for pregnancy anxiety?
Yes, affirmations can be a powerful tool against pregnancy anxiety. By repeatedly focusing on positive statements like "My baby is safe and loved," you can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which helps reduce feelings of stress and promotes a sense of calm.
How long does it take for affirmations to work?
The effects depend on consistency. While you may feel an immediate sense of calm after saying an affirmation, the deeper benefit comes from creating new neural pathways, which can take several weeks of daily practice. Be patient and gentle with yourself.
References & further reading
This section provides scientific studies that support the connection between positive self-talk, reduced stress, and improved well-being during the journey to motherhood. The research validates the core concepts discussed in this article, including the brain's ability to change (neuroplasticity) and the powerful impact of psychological state on physical health.
1. On Self-Affirmation and the Brain (Neuroplasticity):Â
Cascio, C. N., O'Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2016). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(4), 621â629. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv136
Summary:Â This foundational fMRI study demonstrates that practicing self-affirmations activates regions in the brain linked to positive valuation and reward (like the ventromedial prefrontal cortex). This provides neurological evidence that affirmations are not just "feel-good" exercises but can create measurable changes in brain activity, supporting the concept of rewiring thought patterns.
On Psychological Stress and Fertility Outcomes:
Rooney, K. L., & Domar, A. D. (2018). The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 20(1), 41â47. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/klrooney
Summary:Â This comprehensive review examines numerous studies on the link between stress, anxiety, depression, and fertility. The authors conclude that psychological distress is associated with poorer outcomes for couples trying to conceive, both naturally and through assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. This supports the article's claim that managing stress through tools like affirmations is crucial during the TTC journey.
On Maternal Stress During Pregnancy and Fetal Outcomes:
Dunkel Schetter, C., & Tanner, L. (2012). Anxiety, depression and stress in pregnancy: implications for mothers, children, research, and practice. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 25(2), 141â148. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0b013e3283503680
Summary:Â This paper reviews the extensive evidence showing that high levels of maternal stress and anxiety during pregnancy are linked to adverse outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. It highlights the importance of psychological well-being and stress-reduction techniques (like affirmations) for the health of both mother and baby.
On Psychological Interventions for Postpartum Well-being:
Sockol, L. E., Epperson, C. N., & Barber, J. P. (2011). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating and preventing postpartum depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(6), 880â893. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025642
Summary:Â This meta-analysis combines the results of multiple studies and finds that psychological interventions, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are effective in both preventing and treating postpartum depression. A core component of CBT involves identifying and reframing negative thoughts into more balanced or positive ones, a process nearly identical to the practice of using affirmations. This validates the use of affirmations as a tool for emotional regulation in the postpartum period.
The content on Awaiting the Stork⢠is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified physician or healthcare professional to address your unique health needs and circumstances.Â
Mindy Motta, FNP-C
Mindy is a seasoned OB-GYN Nurse Practitioner and co-founder of Awaiting the Storkâ˘. After overcoming her own years-long fertility journey, she now blends clinical expertise with heartfelt empathy to offer new mom advice and evidence-based support for every stage of motherhood. Mindyâs mission is to nurture confidence, connection, and clarity for women stepping into motherhoodâs many joys and challenges.
