Pregnancy and birth are beautiful gifts from God, but they often stir up deep fears. What if something goes wrong? What if I can’t do this? What if it’s too painful? What if there’s an emergency?
These questions can quickly spiral into anxiety. And left unchecked, anxious fear becomes sin, a failure to trust the God who created and sustains us. Sin always has consequences, which is why we cannot afford to ignore it.
So how do we fight fear instead of drowning in it?
Beware the Two Ditches
When fear creeps in, many couples fall into one of two ditches:
Ditch #1: Abdicating Responsibility
Some parents assume: “The professionals know best.” They hand every decision over to doctors or midwives, skip research and classes, and allow culture to shape their birth plan.
The result? Passivity.
Ignorance can have very real physical and spiritual consequences.
Ditch #2: Grasping for Control
Other parents swing the opposite way: they attempt to plan every detail, relying on their own strength and knowledge. When birth doesn’t go as expected or according to their plan, anxiety only grows.
But birth is full of unknowns. You can either lean on your own limited understanding or lean on the Lord, who knows all things.
Both ditches have the same problem: the heart is ruled by self, not Scripture.
3 Steps to Fight Fear
So what’s the way forward? God doesn’t leave us stranded in fear. He gives us clear tools in His Word.
1. Pray and Bring Your Fears to the Lord
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
Start here.
Don’t hide your fears. Name them, confess them, and bring them to God in prayer. He promises to guard your heart and mind.
2. Replace Your Thoughts with Truth
Fear thrives when we rehearse “what ifs.” Freedom comes when we rehearse God’s promises.
Think about:
- God’s sovereignty (He numbers our days before one of them comes to be).
- Thankfulness (for life, for His provision).
- Joy (rooted in Him, not circumstances).
- His Word (which never fails).
We get this from the following verses in Philippians, where God gives a prescription for our anxiety.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
This isn’t positive thinking, it’s focused thinking. When fear creeps in, look past it. Fix your gaze on God’s truth, not your feelings.
3. Use Tools to Help You Focus
Scripture is the most powerful weapon against fear. Something as simple as a verse card taped to your mirror, put with your labor supplies, or prayed over in the middle of the night can reorient your heart.
That’s why we created a set of Free Scripture Cards for Pregnancy and Birth, to help you meditate on God’s Word when fear presses in.
Final Word
Fear in pregnancy and birth is real. But it doesn’t have to rule you.
Don’t abdicate your responsibility. Don’t grasp for control. Instead, pray, replace your thoughts with truth, and use Scripture to anchor your heart.
Because birth is not about your strength or control, it’s about God’s glory and His perfect care for you and your child.