The Ultimate List of Inspirational Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum and Motherhood Quotes to Empower New Mothers

Becoming a mother is one of life’s most transformative experiences, filled with moments of joy, challenge, and deep growth. Whether you’re preparing for birth or navigating the early days of motherhood, a few heartfelt words can offer the encouragement and strength you need. We’ve gathered some of the most powerful pregnancy, birth, labor, postpartum and motherhood quotes to remind you of your inner resilience, celebrate your journey, and offer comfort when you need it most.

 

Quotes for Expecting Moms

  • "Whenever pregnancy starts wearing you down, remember: Elephant mamas are pregnant for two years & their babies weigh 265 pounds at birth. Perspective. You're welcome." -@birth.bliss

 

Quotes for Birth and Labor

  • “There is a secret in our culture, and it is not that birth is painful, but that women are strong.” - Laura Stavoe Harm

  • "Childbirth is an experience in a woman’s life that holds the power to transform her forever. Passing through these powerful gates – in her own way – remembering all the generations of women who walk with her… She is never alone." -Suzanne Arms

  • "I don't care what kind of birth you have...a homebirth, scheduled cesarean, an epidural hospital birth or if you give birth alone in the woods next to a baby deer. I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices and that you were respected." -January Harshe

  • Birth is not only about making babies. It’s about making mothers; strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and believe in their inner strength." -Barbara Katz Rothman

  • "It is said that women in labor leave their bodies... they travel to the stars to collect the souls of their babies, and return to this world together." -Unknown

  • "Birth fear is not yours, mama, and it is not your baby's either. It belongs to a culture that has taken this sacred life experience away from us and intentionally marketed it as a medicalized, controlled, scary procedure that only they can save you from." -Aviva Romm

  • "We have to not be afraid to do the hard work of birth" -Unknown

  • “In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.” -Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn

  • “Women are strong, strong, terribly strong. We don’t know how strong until we’re pushing out our babies.” -Louise Erdrich

  • “Birth is an opportunity to transcend. To rise above what we are accustomed to, reach deeper inside ourselves than we are familiar with, and to see not only what we are truly made of, but the strength we can access in and through birth.” -Marcie Macari

 

Quotes for the Postpartum Period

  • "Just because society doesn't make a big deal about postpartum doesn't mean it isn't one." -@hellopostpartum

  • "Postpartum is not just about the physical recovery from childbirth, it's about the emotional, mental, and holistic recovery that truly allows a mother to thrive." -Maranda Bower

  • "Postpartum is the most neglected period of a woman's life. Check on your postpartum friends. -Unknown

  • "It can take a woman TWO whole years after birth to get back to feeling like themselves. And at least ONE year for their hormones to return to normal." -@thisisanya

  • "Somehow, a pervasive idea has spread in modern times that the mom who is out and about soonest with her baby is somehow the strongest, like an episode of Survivor... But that's all upside down–in a healthy postpartum period, it's she who stays still that wins the prize." -Heng Ou, The First Forty Days

 

Quotes for Motherhood

  • "A well-nourished mother makes a well-nourished child." -Unknown

  • "There's beauty and imperfection in every mother's journey, for it is through imperfection that she learns and evolves." -@milkmoonherbs

  • "All children will eventually sleep alone. All children will eventually stop asking to be carried and cuddled. Before we know it the toys will disappear and they won't need us quite as much. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for wanting to soak in every second you get of parenthood" -Unknown

  • "If our calling is to be mothers, let's be mothers with all our hearts-gladly, simply, and humbly" -Elisabeth Elliot

  • "They won't remember, but I will. Their childhood is also my motherhood." -Unknown

  • "The sad part about motherhood is that you're raising the one person you can't live without... to be able to live without you." -@caringparent

 

Feeling inspired by these quotes? Sign up for Mama's Monday, our weekly newsletter, to receive more empowering words, exclusive recommendations, and personal insights from our founder Holly. Whether you're seeking comfort, motivation, or tips for postpartum wellness, Mama's Monday delivers it straight to your inbox—because every mama deserves a little extra support. Join our community today!


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