Affirmations for Expecting Mamas When You Feel Anxious

Anxiety and depression are tricky. Sometimes it can make you feel like the world is over. Other times you do not even know you are depressed. Combine that with pregnancy and hormones that are already raging, and you have yourself a mood swing party. Getting pregnant at 22 was not the goal. After graduating college, I thought I would be traveling for work and living out of a suitcase. Nope. My post-grad life consisted of taking prenatal vitamins and going to OBGYN check-ups. Not to mention, my family got evicted from our home after dealing with housing insecurity for years. It was enough to drive anyone crazy. 

I knew it was not a perfect time to have a baby, so I prayed for strength. My first trimester did not make it easy. I was bedridden from vertigo and nausea. Sucky, I know. What made it worse is that I felt sucky, pretty hopeless at that point. I had big plans for my life, and it felt like I squandered that opportunity after years of sacrifice. “How could I be so stupid,” I thought. Young and naive, thinking I had everything figured out. I was not myself and knew I could be battling depression, but I did not want to admit it. 

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My pregnancy was not public until I was seven months along. I wish I loved myself more during this time. I would have taken more photos and celebrated myself more. Depression can rob you of your happiness. 

The last trimester was pivotal for me — it gave me one last chance to change things. Although I could not change my circumstances, I could change how I allowed them to affect me. Your thoughts are powerful and can create your reality. I decided to try affirmations – positive phrases and statements to help challenge negative thoughts – to encourage myself. It was awkward, at first, repeating a phrase that felt so foreign to me, like “I am beautiful.” But I needed to believe. The health of my baby depended on it. I focused on being a good mother and became fiercely protective of my peace. I laughed more and found joy in every kick in my belly. It was almost like the baby could feel a shift because the mood swing party became a celebration. 

After nine months, I gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl. I named her Ayo, which means joy in Yoruba. She brought the sunshine, and all those big feelings subsided. I permitted myself to be happy. 

So did affirmations heal me of depression? In a way, yes. It gave me hope at a time when I was hopeless. Repeating positive affirmations aided in my healing, along with increasing my self-love. Honestly, I do not know where I would be had I not pulled myself out of that funk. The realities of depression while pregnant and postpartum depression are grim. My hope for mamas dealing with it is that they find their way to a happier place, receiving the love and support they need and deserve. 

If you are in the midst of the storm, hold on. Here are ten affirmations for you during pregnancy and after delivery. 

10 Affirmations for Expecting Mamas When You Feel Anxious 

1. I am enough. 
2. I am deserving of grace. 
3. Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.
4. My resources are abundant, and I am always able to provide them. 
5. I am safe, whole, and complete.
6. I am present.
7. I am not my mistakes.
8. I relax and take loving care of my body and my baby.
9. I am built for this birth. My body and my baby know what to do.
10. I am a strong and capable parent.

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