Worried About Your Pregnancy? What Nichiren Daishonin Wrote to an Expectant Mother
When joy and fear arrive together
You should be happy, and part of you is. But there's also fear. Maybe a scan showed something the doctors want to check. Maybe you've been told the pregnancy is high-risk. Maybe you've lost a pregnancy before, and every twinge brings back the memory. Maybe you're simply terrified of the birth itself.
Every appointment feels like holding your breath. You read too much online. You try not to hope too much, in case. And you may feel guilty for not simply enjoying this time the way others seem to.
If you or your partner are carrying a worried pregnancy, the Daishonin once wrote a whole letter to an expectant mother who was anxious, and his words are gentle and strong.
What does the Gosho say about a worrying pregnancy?
When Shijo Kingo's wife was anxious as her first birth approached, Nichiren Daishonin wrote, "I understand the circumstances of your pregnancy… You must be careful to have firm faith" (WND-1, 186), and reassured her that "even the darkness becomes bright when a lantern is lit" (WND-1, 186). He took her fears seriously, and gave her something steady to hold on to.
"I understand the circumstances of your pregnancy"
Nichigen-nyo, the wife of Shijo Kingo, was expecting her first child and was uneasy as the birth drew near. She wrote to the Daishonin. He began his reply simply:
> "I understand the circumstances of your pregnancy. In response to your request, I have prepared the protective agent, choosing from among the lore that has been transmitted to me. You must be careful to have firm faith." > — Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child, WND-1, 186
"I understand." Before anything else, he acknowledged her situation. Your worries are understandable too. You don't need to pretend you're calm.
And then he gave her one clear piece of guidance: firm faith. Not certainty about the outcome, but a steady heart with which to meet whatever comes.
A lantern in the dark
In the same letter he wrote:
> "Even the darkness becomes bright when a lantern is lit, and even muddy water becomes clear when the moon shines on it." > — Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child, WND-1, 186
Worry during pregnancy can feel like darkness: not knowing, imagining the worst. Chanting is a lantern. It doesn't control what the scan shows, but it lights the way through each day of waiting, each appointment and each decision.
Kingo's wife went on to give birth safely. The Daishonin named the baby Tsukimaro, "Full Moon."
One small step for tonight
Write down your questions for your next appointment, and ask your doctor or midwife every one of them. You have a right to understand what's happening.
Chant together with your partner, if you can, for the health of the baby and the mother, for skilled care, and for peace of mind through every stage.
Follow your medical team's advice closely. If you are feeling overwhelming anxiety or low mood during or after pregnancy, please tell your doctor or midwife; support is available.
If you have experienced a pregnancy loss, please be gentle with yourself. Our Grief & Loss guidance will speak to that more fully.
A scan that changed everything, then good news
During an anomaly scan, doctors told Nikhil and his wife that their baby's nasal bone appeared to be missing, a strong marker for Down syndrome. Confirming it required amniocentesis, which itself carried a risk of miscarriage. At first they felt overwhelmed by fear. A senior in faith encouraged them, and they decided to base every step on faith, chanting to regain their calm. They went ahead with the test, and received the news they had hoped for: there was no abnormality at all. The experience deepened their faith for everything that followed.
Their story, and others like it, are below.
Frequently asked questions
How do I cope with anxiety during a high-risk pregnancy?
Stay close to your medical team, ask every question, limit online searching, and lean on your partner and trusted people. The Daishonin told an anxious mother-to-be, "You must be careful to have firm faith" (WND-1, 186).
What should I chant for during pregnancy?
Chant for the health of your baby and yourself, for skilled and caring doctors, for a safe birth, and for peace of mind each day.
Can chanting prevent complications?
Chanting is not a substitute for medical care, and no one can guarantee an outcome. Follow your doctors' advice, and chant to strengthen your heart for whatever comes.
Is it normal to feel scared instead of happy?
Yes. Many expectant parents feel a mix of joy and fear, especially after a worrying scan or a past loss. Talk about it with your partner and your care team.
Which Gosho should I read during a worrying pregnancy?
Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child (WND-1, 186–187) and The Birth of Tsukimaro (WND-1, 188–189).
Sources
All passages are from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume I (WND-1):
- Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child, p. 186 - On the birth of Tsukimaro: Background section of Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child