This is a prayer guide we gave our birth team and close friends to use as they prayed for us during the births of our babies. Instead of writing a “Birth Plan”, we came up with a “Prayer Plan”.
(We did not really need a birth plan because we had a homebirth and felt free to do as we pleased - but if you do wish to have a birth plan - here's an example of a pretty comprehensive one.)
Not everyone is familiar with how to pray for a natural birth because many people expect that the woman just goes off to hospital and the medical staff take care of everything.
This guide is not a blue-print, just some ideas. You could write your own tailor-made prayer guide to suit your unique situation.
So here goes:
REQUEST FOR PRAYER
Thank you for praying for us during the time of the birth of our precious baby! We appreciate your prayer support during this significant time. The baby’s estimated due date is:
The Bible is full of promises concerning childbirth and parenthood. Thank you for believing for these blessings to be appropriated in our lives.
The devil hates birth, because of his enmity against women (Genesis 3:15) and their offspring, that is, his hatred for human life generally, because he is a murderer. Also the devil hates childbirth because every birth is a reminder to him of the birth of our Saviour Jesus. Jesus is the Giver of Life. He has come to destroy all the works of the evil one and to give life abundantly. Christ has redeemed us from the curse. (Gal. 3:13)
God intends for childbirth to be a special experience of blessing and family celebration in the safety of His presence. When the Lord is given total control and the enemy is bound from interfering with or sabotaging the birth, it does not have to be an experience of pain, stress or suffering. Jesus has taken up our suffering for us. (Is. 53: 4-5)
It is awesome to think that even Jesus himself grew in his mother’s womb and experienced the journey down the birth canal.
Birth is a sacred mystery. Even the medical experts do not know exactly what triggers labour. But the Word of God tells us that it is the Lord who brings us to delivery and opens the womb. (Isaiah 66:9). Several times in Psalms it says that it is the Lord who ‘delivers us from our mother's womb’. We are the people of His pasture, the sheep of His hand. Think of how a shepherd assists the ewes at lambing time. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who tends His flock like a shepherd and gently leads those who are with young. (Isaiah 40:11). What a beautiful promise that reveals to us the tender heart of the Lord for women in childbirth.
Truly, we are in good Hands – in the Lord’s expert care.
We know that when we pray, we should pray with faith and confidence. Simply coming into the Lord’s presence with thanksgiving, praise, and songs of love and worship to Him releases faith. We can sing praises to the Lord throughout the labour and delivery. We can pray specifically, according to God’s Word. We can ‘mirror’ His Word back to Him – not that He needs reminding, but hearing our own lips confess it builds our faith! (Romans 10:17) The prayer of agreement is powerful. (Matthew 18:19).
It is good to know that we have a body of believers standing with us in prayer during this time. Thank you! May God bless you.
Please pray and agree with us (Matt 18:19):
GENERALLY:
* for a safe, easy birth with no complications. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Galatians 3:13,14; Deut. 28:2-11)
* that like the Hebrew women, I will be ‘lively and vigorous’ in labour and have an effective that progresses well.(Exodus 1:19)
* a fear-free and therefore pain-free birth. Labour is just that: labour (hard work) but with God it does not have to hurt. Pray that the ‘fear-tension-pain’ cycle will be broken, and that we will all rest in the Lord’s love, trusting him. I am redeemed from the curse of the law.
(1 John 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:7; Isaiah 41:10; Gal 3:13).
* for a birth that glorifies God and is a blessing to everyone present. (Psalm 100) For an atmosphere of peace and worship as we keep our eyes on Jesus and enjoy his presence, praising him (Phil. 4:7). The Lord is in control of the labour and delivery. (Psalm 22:9)
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for joy (Nehemiah 8:10)
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for strength (Phil. 4:13)
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for help & blessing (Gen. 49:25)
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for safety & wholeness - in spirit, soul and body, of baby & mother (1Tim. 2:15)
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for courage (Psalm 31:24)
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for protection (Psalm 91:14)
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for faith (1 John 5:14-15)
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for wisdom (Prov. 2:6)
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for unity – the Lord, mother, father, baby, the midwife, and the labour support person(s) = the Birth Team. (Psalm 133)
BEFORE THE BIRTH, PLEASE PRAY:
* for a good, safe birthing place with skilled birth attendants who can provide sensitive, personalized care.
* for a good midwife who is skilled, compassionate and sensitive. (“When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them upon the delivery stool...” Exodus 1:16) To help and to observe is just what a good midwife does. (‘Midwife’ means, ‘with woman’) ‘Upon the stools’ implies a vertical position which allows the birthing process to benefit from gravity. “So God was kind to the midwives .. and because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.” Exodus1:20,21)
* that technical intervention will be used wisely, only if truly necessary; that I will be supported to give birth naturally. Pray that the medical personnel/midwife will have the mind of Christ.
* for a woman friend or doula who is kind and prayerful, to be with my husband and I during the birth as the labour support person.
* that the baby will be ready to be born, emotionally as well as physically, in a good head-down, anterior position. That the baby will present well with the head well flexed, no asynclitism or malpresentation. (Psalm 71:5,6)
* that the labour will begin at the Lord’s appointed time, that mother, father & baby will be built up in faith, relaxed and ready. (Isaiah 66: 7-10)
* for financial provision for the payment of the midwife & birth supplies. (Phil. 4:19)
* that the waters will break at the right time, not too soon before labour commences.
* that the placenta will be in the right position, well up and away from the cervix.
* that the umbilical cord will be in the right position, not wrapped around the baby’s head or any other part of the baby’s body, and will not prolapse ahead of the baby.
* that the cervix will soften, ripen, efface and begin to dilate.
* “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.” Psalm 139:13-15
FOR FIRST STAGE, PLEASE PRAY:
* that my womb will be blessed, having strong, regular contractions that are effective but not painful (Deuteronomy 7:13; Genesis 49:25).
* that the cervix will dilate easily, quickly and efficiently.
* that my body will relax and yield, that I will be kept in perfect peace in my spirit and soul as I stay my mind on Jesus, so that it is only the uterus that tenses up during the powerful muscular contractions (Isaiah 26:3).
* that my hormones will be blessed - that my body will release plenty of oxytocin (which causes contractions) and endorphins (natural pain-inhibitors) - but not adrenalin, which is part of the stress response, and inhibits the release of oxytocin, until transition, when adrenalin will give me the energy boost to birth my baby. Bless my hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
* for an atmosphere of privacy, quietness, safety and respect that will allow my hormones to flow unhindered.
* for a wide, open, roomy pelvis that is supple and flexible
FOR SECOND STAGE, PLEASE PRAY:
* for safe passage for the baby down through the birth canal, easily and unhindered, with a good oxygen supply throughout birth (no foetal distress). (Isaiah 46:4)
* that my body will be able to push easily and effectively, working along with the uterus to expel the baby. (Psalm 18:32)
* that the tissues of the perineum will stretch gently and easily, fanning out to allow the baby through, for slow, gradual crowning of the head, with no tearing or episiotomy.
* that the baby will breathe spontaneously after being born, have clear airways and have good ‘Apgars’ (assessment of the newborn’s overall condition at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth.)
FOR THIRD STAGE, PLEASE PRAY:
* for a blessed bonding time between mother and baby immediately after birth, in the Lord’s presence.
* that the baby will be able to suckle at the breast, to help the uterus to contract, clamp down and expel the placenta.
* that the placenta will detatch safely, be intact, and be delivered without delay, with no haemorrhage; that the uterus will contract down well after the expulsion of the placenta.
* that breastfeeding will be established well, no sore nipples, infections etc.
(Gen. 49:25 “blessings of the breast”; Isaiah 66:11)
* for no excessive jaundice for the baby and for good health generally for the baby.
* for good rest for the new mother after the birth, and no post-natal depression.
Thank you so much!
SCRIPTURES:
* “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And we know that if he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15
* “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us …” Galatians 3:13
* “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4,5
* “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord will keep his covenant of love with you … he will bless the fruit of your womb …” Deuteronomy 7:12-15
* “… because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with … blessings of the breast and of the womb.” Genesis 49:25
* “Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” Exodus 1:19
* “Before she goes into labour, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a child. Who has ever heard of such a thing? … Yet no sooner is Zion in labour than she gives birth to her children. “Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her …” Isaiah 66:7-10
* “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.” Psalm 22:9
* “But she will be kept safe in childbearing, as they (husband and wife) continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.” 1 Timothy 2:15
* “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” Prov. 18:10
* “He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11
* “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” 1 John 4:18
* “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
* “Come unto me all you who labour and are weary, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:23-28
* “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak … they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
Isaiah 40:31
* “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
DISCLAIMER!!!
OK darling sisters in Christ - you know how sometimes in Christianity, people come up with some ideas and opinions about how to do life - and then suddenly it becomes some kind of full-on doctrine? And just more hoops for people to jump through - even a kind of legalism? (I hope you haven't had this experience, but it does happen).
Let this not be the case here! I offer this only with grace. This is simply *our* experience. It's not meant to be prescriptive or instructional.
As with anything in our walk with God, it's meant to be in the context of your intimate relationship with him. Perhaps, possibly something you've read here might inspire or encourage you and end up being part of a little chat with God about YOUR heart's desires and his loving will and purpose and heart for you.
There's no one "right way" here, so I just bless you to be led by the Holy Spirit, and follow your heart as He prompts you. I like what Jackie Mize wrote in "Supernatural Childbirth": "
Have as much sense as an old cow. Chew on the grass and spit out the sticks." Take what's helpful and never mind the rest. This is what helped us - your path is very different, totally unique and all yours.
Testimonials:
From Dasha:
"Hi Julie! Thanks so much for all the info you have
sent. It is such a blessing! I had never thought of the fact that
Jesus freed us from the curses that may come with pregnancy. It used to
be just a fact that it was something that we had to go through. We
started praying for some pretty specific things, morning sickness, fatigue,
ect.. and they have disappeared! Praise God!"
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| Photo by Nicole M Photography |
From Loreen:
"Julie! Guess where I am! Currently sitting in your beautiful Post Natal bath
filled with your delicious herbs!!
We had an
amazing surprise homebirth last Tuesday night! My waters broke at 1 am and by
7:30 am, our daughter was born. Thank you so much for your prayers and
blessings for me! I totally felt Gods presence and my husband and I had perfect
peace. So much so that we were so calm we left it quite late to call the
midwives, who only just arrived in time for her crowning and to catch her!
She was born
on my bathroom floor. I Ended up using the Tens machine for most of the birth -
I am in love with that thing, it helped me focus and work through the waves. I
ripped it off about 6:30 or so and got in the shower... I felt God say to me in
there "You'll have a baby by 8 am." I said to myself "Ok, by 10 am" (hoping to
give myself some more time for things to slow down!) but God said "No, I said
8 am!"
I got out of
the shower and between intense pushing contractions had immense calm. My husband and
I even spontaneously starting praying in tongues together.
It was
intense and powerful and full on! The midwives arrived just as I was crowning,
and hub ripped off his dressing gown just in time to catch her. There was some slight tearing as she superwoman punched her arm out into the world.
Here she is,
two weeks early! Her name means Ruler of the Estate which I believe references
her leadership calling and the fact that she totally owned her own birth. Blessings to you Julie for your special ministry. "
Our Birth Stories - here you can read the intimate stories of our personal journey through the births of our 4 children.
NEW!
- a set of 24 blessing cards, with 24 spoken meditations and worship instrumental tracks to inspire your faith and draw you deeper into the presence of God during your baby-having adventure.
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What does a doula actually do?
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