Through pregnancy to safe delivery

For the nine months and the day itself.

Pregnancy is nine months of hope with an undertow of fear, and the fear is rarely spoken aloud. These prayers are for the whole of it — the early weeks nobody knows about, the scans, and the delivery.

The Prayer

Lord God, Creator of all life,
bless the child growing within me.

Watch over this pregnancy.
Keep us both safe and well.
Give skill and care to those who look after us,
and steady me when I am afraid.

Give me strength for the delivery,
and courage for whatever comes.

Mary, who carried a child and travelled to Bethlehem to deliver Him,
be with me now.
St. Gerard, pray for me.
St. Anne, mother of Our Lady, pray for me. Amen.

For the Father

Lord, I cannot carry this child and I cannot take the fear away.
Show me how to be useful:
how to be steady, present and quiet when quiet is what is needed.
St. Joseph, who stood by a pregnant woman when it was not simple,
pray for me. Amen.

In a Difficult Pregnancy

Lord, we have had news we did not want.
Hold this child, whatever comes.
Give us wisdom, and doctors who tell us the truth kindly.
And do not let us face this alone. Amen.

About These Prayers

The Church blesses expectant mothers formally — the Book of Blessings contains a rite that a priest may celebrate, individually or for several mothers at once, and many parishes offer it. It is worth asking for; most people never know it exists.