Bringing a new life into the world is, for many, full of spiritual meaning. Focusing on the sacred helps families going through labor to “get out of their head” and attune to the reality of what is happening. What practices will help you to draw on your own spirituality in birth?

Why is spirituality so important in birth?

Quite simply, bringing a new life into the world prompts us to reflect on the meaning of life. Our bodies and minds engage in an unparalleled experience. In fact, many describe feeling a strength that creates profound meaning around the birth of a new little one. Giving birth can be one of the most vulnerable times, where we face a reality deeper than our comprehension.

We turn to spirituality to understand and navigate the experience. BirthWorks International places spirituality at the heart of their birth philosophy. They define it as a “quest for self knowledge and the search for a higher purpose and meaning to life.” Medical research and guidelines also support the role of spirituality in birth and in health care more generally. Interestingly, even in Caesarean births, medical research has highlighted the important roles of doula care and spirituality in supporting parents.

Being Spiritual

My friend and fellow Orthodox Christian doula Laura Jansson says:

…there is no such thing as an “unspiritual person”. All people, whether pregnant or not, have spiritual needs, including, for example: to seek meaning; to discover wholeness in oneself, oneness with nature and union with others; to experience ultimate belonging and purpose; to redeem pain and loss; to discern one’s true identity, and know and be known as such; to find ways to channel awe, admiration, gratitude and joy; or to encounter transcendence. This means that for all of us, decision-making takes place within a spiritual context. Because all people are spiritual, all decisions surrounding pregnancy and birth are made by, and implicate, spiritual persons, and all perinatal decisions have a spiritual dimension.

Laura Jansson. (2021). Seen and unseen: Spirituality as an underestimated dimension of decision-making around birth. AIMS Journal.

Spirituality differs from religion; one can seek spiritual connection without religious affiliation. While religion is often seen as rules and rituals at odds with true spirituality, it can also provide symbolism and practices that add meaning to significant events like birth.

What is eleison?

When we chose the name for our doula business, we wanted a name that would center the important spiritual aspect of birth and death. A name that evokesthe quiet, compassionate support that a doula provides. And one that creates space for each client to find their own meaning and depth in the spiritual encounter of giving birth or end of life. Eleison is a Greek word that is translated as “mercy,” but its significance goes much deeper than this simple translation.

I want to share a little bit about my own spiritual tradition, which is Orthodox Christianity. You may have a different view of spirituality, and I fully support you in your preferred expression. But today, I would like to share a bit about the spiritual resources that help me in my own life.

In Orthodox churches we hear the phrase “Kyrie eleison,” or “Lord, have mercy” repeated frequently in our services and prayers. Why? We know that God is merciful. So merciful that He chose to walk alongside us in our human struggles. Even taking on humanity and all that entails – hunger, fatigue, pain, frustration, suffering, and even death.

This idea of a God who suffers was scandalous, but it demonstrates such a profound compassion. Jesus performed many healings, but He didn’t just come to heal the sick. More importantly, He came to be one of us, allowing Himself to experience all of our difficulties and pains.

How powerful for those of us in the throes of labor, to reflect on God’s full and quiet presence and acceptance of human suffering! So when we pray “Kyrie eleison,” we are entrusting our cares to God and reminding ourselves of this loving mercy that accompanies us in our struggles.

The Added, Hidden Meaning of Eleison

There is another layer of meaning in the word eleison that I find really beautiful and powerful. This word eleison comes from the same root in ancient Greek as the word for oil, specifically olive oil. This is interesting because in ancient times olive oil would have been used to soothe and treat a wound. Furthermore, the Hebrew word that we translate as eleison and mercy is hesod, which means “steadfast love.” So “Kyrie eleison” is a prayer for God to be with us, soothe and comfort us in our pain, and show us His steadfast love.

What does all of this have to do with the spirituality of birth?

Again, I am sharing a few thoughts based on my own tradition and experiences. You will find your own way of giving meaning to the birth experience and source of spiritual strength. I believe that God’s compassion and steadfast love is shown to us most clearly through the Incarnation. As I said above, this means He became a human and took on everything that means, including our suffering.

Let’s be honest, birth is usually accompanied by a great deal of pain. However, we can lessen the degree of suffering when we are able to give meaning to that pain. And of course, all of this talk about God becoming human started with a birth! I believe that pregnancy and birth can be a wonderful time to enter more fully into the meaning of this event, and to call out for mercy, steadfast love, and comfort from God and even from the Virgin Mary who gave birth to Him.

If that is a step too far for you, maybe you can still draw inspiration from the beautiful story of this young woman’s acceptance of a special pregnancy and love for the baby that she conceived and gave birth to. Do you see the tenderness and compassion between the mother and child in this icon? Maybe you will find this or another piece of art to be meaningful in your spiritual journey of birth, even if it doesn’t mean quite the same thing to you as it does to me.

What Practices Will Help You Draw on Your Own Spirituality in Birth?

Doulas and other people who support childbirth frequently talk about the need for a woman in labor to “get out of her head” and tune in to the language of body and spirit—to experience labor at a “primal” level and “go with the flow.” For some, this means allowing our animal instincts to direct us; after all, most animals seem to give birth with ease, not worrying about each piece of the experience but just doing what comes naturally.

But for me, experiencing labor primally also means going to a more fundamental—and essentially spiritual—place. It means abandoning oneself to the mercy of a God who not only has the power to create life, but also the compassion to accompany each created being through the struggles that life brings.

Repetition and Prayer as Coping Tools

Repetition and ritual are powerful coping strategies in labor. Repeating a phrase or prayer as simple as “Lord have mercy” can help a laboring mother enter into a meditative state, while also invoking profound spiritual meaning. A longer version that many Christians love is known as “the Jesus Prayer.” It says, simply, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” What a powerful way to meet the pains of labor—what a beautiful gift to offer your baby as the first words they hear in this world!

Grounding Practices for Labor and Birth

Here are some spiritually grounded practices that can help anchor and support you during labor:

• Sacred Music
  Listen to hymns, chants, or instrumental pieces that bring peace and spiritual focus. Many Orthodox mothers find that playing liturgical music—like the Paraklesis, Lamentations, or psalmody—can be incredibly calming and soul-nourishing.
• Icons and Sacred Objects
  Gaze at an icon of the Theotokos, Christ, or your patron saint. Hold a prayer rope, cross, or another blessed item. These physical reminders of the Church’s presence can comfort you and keep your heart centered on prayer.
• Prayer and Scripture
  Pray aloud or silently. Ask your birth team to read psalms, prayers, or Scripture passages that bring you courage and peace. Even a short verse—like “Be still and know that I am God”—can steady your heart during a contraction.
• Short Repetitive Prayers
  Use simple, repeated prayers to guide your breath and focus your mind. Phrases like “Lord have mercy”, “Jesus, be with me”, or “Holy Theotokos, save me” help connect body and soul in a rhythm of trust.
• Holy Water and Anointing
  Before your due date, consider asking your priest to anoint you with holy oil for strength and peace. Bring holy water to your birthing place—sip it between contractions or anoint yourself with it throughout labor as a tangible reminder of God’s mercy.
• Create a Sacred Environment
  Dim lights, use warm blankets, gentle scents, and comforting sounds. If you’re at home or in a hospital, create a prayerful space around you. Even one icon and a few words of prayer can make the room feel set apart.

Your Doula as a Guardian of Sacred Space

A doula can help protect the quiet space around you to foster this prayerful or meditative state. By listening, attuning to your emotions, and offering comfort, your doula embodies compassion and steadfastness—the very essence of eleison.

Whether or not you and your doula share the same faith, your doula can support you in finding and expressing your own spiritual meaning in birth.

Kyrie eleison.

Are you hoping to bring more peace and prayer into your birth?
Let’s talk about how I can support you in creating a sacred, grounded space for labor.
🌿 Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step toward a birth rooted in mercy and meaning.