Beyoncé's joyous pregnancy

Like most mothers-to-be, Beyoncé is beside herself with the joy of her impending child.

"It is the most powerful creation for you to be able to have a life growing inside of you," the R&B/pop star, 30, told The Associated Press in an interview published Thursday. "There is no bigger gift, nothing more empowering."

She used much the same language to describe her pregnancy to "Entertainment Tonight Canada" Thursday night, telling the TV show, "It's been great. I feel free. I feel very empowered."

Along with support from her husband, singer and music mogul Jay-Z, Beyoncé said she's looking to her female family members for motherhood guidance.

"I have the best examples around me because my sister is the most incredible mother," she said of her singer sister Solange, 25, the mother of a 6-year-old boy, Julez. As well, she said, "My mother, I am so proud of her. I see her and I could cry every time I think about her because she is such an incredible woman, so I just pray that I have the same bond with my children, child."

She isn't planning to put her career on hold, she added, but rather plans to take her baby with her on her rounds.

"I am sure I will," she said. "I think that it shouldn't stop you. I think, of course, my life is going to change, and I definitely will make sacrifices, but you know, I think I will be able to bring hopefully my little rider with me."

Beyoncé showed off her Roberto Cavalli maternity style Wednesday at the launch of her new fragrance, Beyoncé Pulse, in Manhattan.