A Labor of Grace: Saying Yes to God's Design for Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood

by Madeline Marlatt

A Labor of Grace is an invitation for expecting Christian mothers to walk through pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood with Jesus at the center.

In a world that glorifies control, fear, and self-reliance in pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood, this book invites you to surrender and trust in the One who designed it all.

Through biblical truth, prayer, and reflection, you will learn how to tap into God’s design and embrace His refining work in this sacred season of becoming a mother.

This book is a call to tear down modern idols, renew your mind with Truth, and step into motherhood knowing your purpose and mission as you enter the ministry of motherhood.

By the end, you will see pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood not as a burden to bear, but as a blessing and a holy invitation from God to partner with Him in a labor of grace.

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2026

Reviews

[Katie ᥫ᭡. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first-time mom, this is 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 the book my heart needed. 😭💕

There are so many pregnancy and birth books that unintentionally leave you feeling more anxious, overwhelmed, or convinced you have to achieve the “𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵” birth experience. 𝘼 𝙇𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 does the complete opposite. It gently shifts your focus away from fear and back to the 𝗢𝗻𝗲 who created your body in the first place.

What I loved most is that this isn’t a book about 𝘩𝘰𝘸 you should give birth, whether you hope for an unmedicated birth or choose an epidural, the message remains the same: 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. That perspective alone brought me so much 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚. 🥹

Madeline beautifully intertwines Scripture with practical encouragement, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 reminding readers to 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 of striving for perfection. In a world where social media is flooded with scary birth stories and endless opinions, this book felt like taking a deep breath. It replaced so many of my “𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧𝘴” with biblical truth.

More than anything, this book 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 my faith. It reminded me that my birth plan isn’t ultimately about having everything go exactly as I imagined, it’s about 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 Jesus and the Holy Spirit into every part of the experience and 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 Him, no matter how my son’s birth unfolds. ✨🙏🏼

I closed this book feeling less fearful, 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 confident, and 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 connected to God’s design for pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. I’ll absolutely be revisiting it as my due date gets closer. 😍

[Alisha Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great for women that don’t already have a decent understanding of God’s divine design for women in pregnancy, birth and motherhood. I was grateful for the reminders in this book but I didn’t really learn anything new. However, one reminder that was especially poignant was that God does not give us the spirit of fear. Any time we feel fear concerning pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood, it is not from God. The fear of losing our identity in motherhood is something I often see on social media. We are not meant to go back to or “bounce back” to the person we were before. Motherhood is meant to change us and refine us into someone more like Christ. I genuinely love this author as I have followed her for a while now on Instagram. She is a great example of surrendering to God’s design for pregnancy and motherhood and I hope to do the same as I seek to follow God’s will and design for my family.

[Alexandra S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful. If you are looking for a heartfelt call to surrender your pregnancy, childbirth and walk as a mother fully to God, then this book right here is that. The message of the Gospel is clearly woven throughout the chapters, and is smoothly written by a Sister-in-Christ encouraging another to step further into the authority of Christ, to have bold faith, and to critically war against the devil throughout every season, but especially in motherhood. As a third time mama (due in only a few short weeks), I encourage you that this book, the prayers and convictions within, will help point you to the Lord, remind you that God is ever present, and you need only to trust in Him and be still. To God be the glory.

Madeline- your heart for the Lord is so beautiful and I pray that he continues to bless your ministry and family. Thank you for being obedient to His calling in writing this book. It has been such a blessing to me, and I have already recommended it to so many others.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Timely Gift for My Motherhood Journey

I’ve been a Christian for many years, but when I unexpectedly became pregnant at 27, I realized I had always looked to my own mother—not Scripture—for my understanding of motherhood.

I found Madeleine on Instagram while searching for Christian moms and was inspired by her faithfulness to God’s Word. This book clearly shows the difference between the motherhood shaped by society and our flesh and the beautiful design God created.

It encouraged me to cling to God throughout pregnancy, birth, and motherhood, and I know I’ll return to these pages again. I’m so thankful I picked it up.

My prayer is to keep my eyes fixed on Christ as I grow into motherhood, following the example of my mom, Madeleine and many other godly women, and trusting Him through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. This book has been a wonderful companion on that journey.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Silvana Higuera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot recommend this book enough. Pregnant with my second and wish I had this book with my first. Helps so much with overcoming fear in pregnancy, trusting God to be your source during postpartum and motherhood. Beautiful book that will encourage and challenge you in the best way.

[Paige Sagach · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Karen Braga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I will be buying this for every baby shower I go to. So encouraging and easy to read. A definite must read for christian mothers!