Birth Resources

When I gave birth in October, I prepared a birth playlist for myself and also a litany for laboring women. In the litany I included the names of every saint that I could find that had given birth. My doula prayed it while I was laboring and it helped me immensely. Hearing the names of all the saints who had been through labor before, women who had the vocation of motherhood and achieved great union with God, and who were praying for me at that moment was incredibly powerful. Some have expressed interest in me sharing the litany and my playlist; so for any who are interested, here they are.

Litany to Mothers

God, you have blessed woman by giving her the ability to cooperate with you in bringing forth new life. We ask for the intercession of these mothers to pray for all women as they meet the challenges of your call.

St. Adela, pray for us.
St. Adelaide of Burgundy, pray for us.
St. Adele, pray for us.
St. Aelia Flaccilla, pray for us.
St. Agia, pray for us.
St. Adeltrude of Aurillac, pray for us.
Bl. Angela Angela of Foligno, pray for us.
St. Amalburga, pray for us.
St. Amunia, pray for us.
Bl. Anne Giustiniani, pray for us.
Bl. Anne Mary Taigi, pray for us.
Bl. Antonia of Florence, pray for us.
St. Bathildis, pray for us.
St. Begga, pray for us.
Bl. Berka Zdislava, pray for us.
St. Bertha, pray for us.
St. Bertha of Kent, pray for us.
St. Bertha of Artois, France, pray for us.
St. Candida of Spain, pray for us.
St. Candida the Younger, pray for us.
St. Cecilia Yu Sosa, pray for us.
St. Celine, pray for us.
St. Claudia, pray for us.
St. Cleopatra, Widow of Palestine, pray for us.
St. Clotilde, pray for us.
Venerable Conchita of Mexico, pray for us.
St. Crispina, pray for us.
St. Cuthberga, pray for us.
St. Darerca of Ireland, pray for us.
St. Dionysia, pray for us.

St. Paul says that when we are weak, God’s power reaches perfection. We pray that the world may grow in respect, reverence, and awe for the power of God displayed in the vulnerability of pregnancy and birth. We pray also for an increase of reverence and gratitude for the gift of femininity.

St. Dorothy of Montau, intercede for us.
St. Eanfleda, intercede for us.
St. Ebbe of Minster-in-Thanet, intercede for us.
St. Elgiva of Shaftesbury, intercede for us.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, intercede for us.
Bl. Elizabeth Canori Mora, intercede for us.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, intercede for us.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, intercede for us.
St. Emma, intercede for us.
St. Ermenberga, intercede for us.
St. Ermenilda, intercede for us.
Bl. Eurosia of Fabris, intercede for us.
St. Felicity of Rome, intercede for us.
Sts. Felicity and Perpetua, intercede for us.
St. Frances of Rome, intercede for us.
St. Gertrude of Hamage, intercede for us.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla, intercede for us.
St. Gladys, intercede for us.
St. Gorgonia, intercede for us.
St. Gwen Teierbron, intercede for us.
St. Hedwig, intercede for us.
St. Helen, intercede for us.
Bl. Helen of Poland, intercede for us.
St. Helen of Skovde, intercede for us.
St. Hereswitha, intercede for us.
St. Hilaria, intercede for us.
St. Hildegard of Swabia, intercede for us.
St. Hildegund, intercede for us.
St. Humilitas, intercede for us.
St. Hunna, intercede for us.
St. Ida of Nivelles, intercede for us.

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity reminds us that whenever we are suffering, our soul is growing, becoming infinite in order to hold you who are infinite. As this mother’s soul grows in order to contain more of you, Lord, and in order to love your presence in your newest image contained in her child, we pray...

St. Jacoba, please help us.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal, please help us.
St. Joan de Lestonnac, please help us.
St. Julian of Bolgna, please help us.
St. Jutta, please help us.
St. Kentigerna, please help us.
St. Louise de Marillac, please help us.
St. Ludmila, please help us.
Bl. Lucy Chakichi, Bl. Mary Guengoro, and other Martyrs of Japan, please help us.
St. Macrina the Elder, please help us.
St. Magdalene Han Yong-i, please help us.
Ven. Margaret Bosco, please help us.
St. Margaret of Clithero, please help us.
St. Margaret of Cortona, please help us.
Bl. Margaret of Pole, please help us.
St. Margaret of Scotland, please help us.
St. Marguerite d’Youville, please help us.
Bl. Maria Teresa Ferragud Roig, please help us.
Bl. Marie of the Incarnation, please help us.
Bl. Marie of Jesus, please help us.
Bl. Marie Martin, please help us.
St. Mary Clopas, please help us.
St. Mary Salome, please help us.
St. Mathilda, please help us.
St. Melania, please help us.
St. Melania the Elder, please help us.
St. Mella, please help us.

St. Faustina has said that if we knew the supreme value of suffering we would no longer be able to suffer, therefore the time to suffer is now, while we can. We pray for laboring women to know the infinite value of their work as they unite their work to yours on the cross.

Bl. Michelina of Pesaro, pray for us.
St. Monegundis, pray for us.
St. Monica, pray for us.
St. Natalia, pray for us.
St. Non, pray for us.
St. Nonna, pray for us.
St. Olga of Kiev, pray for us.
St. Osith, pray for us.
St. Paula of Rome, pray for us.
St. Priscilla of Rome, pray for us.
St. Publia, pray for us.
St. Richrudis, pray for us.
St. Rita, pray for us.
St. Sadalburga, pray for us.
St. Sexburga, pray for us.
St. Sigrada, pray for us.
St. Silvia of Rome, pray for us.
St. Sophia, pray for us.
St. Teresa of Portugal, pray for us.
St. Theopistes of Rome, pray for us.
Bl. Victoria Strata, pray for us.
St. Valeria of Milan, pray for us.
St. Wistrada, pray for us.
St. Wilfrida, pray for us.
Bl. Yvette, pray for us.
St. Zdislava of Lemberk, pray for us.
All mothers in heaven, pray for us.

Rachel, the Matriarch, pray for us.
Ruth, the Matriarch, pray for us.

Eve, Mother of all the Living, we pray for all women as they are called to spiritual motherhood. Help them live their call to bring forth and nurture life, in whatever way God is calling them.

St. Elizabeth, you were blessed by Mary’s friendship and help as you each began living your call to motherhood. We pray for all women, that they may receive the support and care that they need to live their call of authentic womanhood.

St. Ann, in your home you helped prepare your daughter Mary to fulfill her role in salvation history. Please pray for this mother as she nurtures her children and helps them discover and follow God’s plan for them.

St. Joseph, you had many fears and faced great disappointment upon hearing about Mary’s pregnancy. Yet with God’s grace, you rose to your call of protector of the woman and her child. Please intercede for all fathers, that they may be able to live up to their calling and the challenges of authentic masculinity, as designed in your image.

All the Saints who died before birth, please intercede for the children being born to have safety, care, and love throughout their life.

Mary, Mother of God, you experienced many questions when you conceived, birthed, and raised the Son of God. Please help women to trust in the Lord’s providence as they give their consent to God’s work in them.

To these and all mothers in heaven, pray for us. Hail Mary...

Birth Playlist

The entire "Vision" album. The album contains the chants of 11th century nun, Hildegard Von Bingen. They were likely originally chanted a capella, but in this album have been set to music by  modern composer Richard Souther.

All is Full of Love - Bjork

All Neon Like - Bjork

Joga - Bjork

Unravel - Bjork

Mouth's Cradle - Bjork

This Woman's Work (Uncut) - Maxwell

Death is the Road to Awe - Clint Mansell (The Fountain Soundtrack)

All That I Am - Rob Thomas

Praise You in This Storm - Casting Crowns

Let the Waters Rise - Mikeschair