A House of Prayer for All Nations

Tefillah al Yoledet — Prayer for a Woman in Labor

Tefillah al Yoledet
About this prayer

This is a traditional Jewish prayer recited on behalf of a woman in labor, asking God to ease her birth and bring mother and child safely through. It centers on Psalm 20, which is recited twelve times, followed by a personal supplication invoking the merits of the Matriarchs — Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah. The prayer is drawn from the collection Sansan LeYair and may be recited by the husband, family members, or friends, anywhere and at any time before or during labor. Whoever you are, you are welcome to offer these words for any mother in need.

Read for understanding

A prayer for an easy birth — a prayer to be said on behalf of a woman in labor.

It may be said anywhere and at any time.

Her husband may recite this prayer — or others may recite it,

and in any circumstance before the birth

it is worthwhile and appropriate to say this prayer for the woman in labor.

 

Recite twelve times the psalm 'May He answer you' (Psalm 20):

 

For the conductor, a psalm of David:

May Adonai answer you in a day of distress; may the name of the God of Jacob raise you high.

May He send your help from the sanctuary, and from Zion may He support you.

May He remember all your offerings, and receive your burnt-offerings with favor. Selah.

May He grant you what your heart desires, and fulfill your every plan.

We will sing aloud of your deliverance, and in the name of our God we will raise our banner —

may Adonai fulfill all your requests.

Now I know that Adonai has delivered His anointed,

He will answer him from His holy heavens, with the mighty victories of His right hand.

These with chariots and these with horses,

but we — in the name of Adonai our God we call out.

They have stumbled and fallen,

but we — we have risen and stand firm.

Adonai, grant victory! May the King answer us on the day we call.

 

Afterward, say the following:

 

May it be Your will before You, Adonai our God and God of our forefathers,

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob,

the great, the mighty, and the awesome God,

I Am That I Am, Almighty, Lord of Hosts —

that You act for the sake of Your abundant mercies,

and for the sake of the holiness of this psalm

and Your names that are written within it and interwoven within it,

and that You have compassion upon (the name of the woman and her mother's name —

recite the laboring woman's name and her mother's name)

who sits upon the birthing-stone, crying out in her labor-pangs.

God full of compassion —

bring her from darkness into light,

and in the merit of our holy Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah,

have compassion upon her, and remember them for good

and recall them for blessing,

for her eyes are lifted toward You as the eyes of a handmaid toward her mistress.

Cancel from upon her all harsh and bitter decrees

(here contemplate in your heart the words 'Kera Satan,' but do not speak them aloud)

and save her from all pain,

and let the child emerge into a good life and to peace,

at a propitious and blessed hour for us and for the child.

And afterward may the afterbirth come forth with ease.

Just as You heard whoever recited this psalm before You,

so may You hear our prayer.

Act for the sake of Your name, act for the sake of Your right hand,

act for the sake of Your Torah, act for the sake of Your holiness.

He who answered your mother will answer you.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart find favor before You,

Adonai, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Common Questions

Jewish tradition associates the number twelve with the twelve words in Psalm 20's opening verse, as well as with the twelve tribes of Israel, invoking the full community's merit on behalf of the mother. Repetition in Jewish prayer practice is often used to intensify concentration and spiritual intention. Reciting a sacred text multiple times is understood to deepen the worshipper's focus and amplify the power of the petition.