My Black Motherhood

Reading this book is like listening to a passionate, relatable, sister friend who can help you fight your corner. Thank you, Sandra, for sharing these deeply affecting stories and for stirring up ‘good trouble’ on behalf of Black mothers everywhere. – Uju Asika, author of Bringing Up Race: How To Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced WorldSandra’s book gives a wonderfully candid insight into the experiences and obstacles faced by Black mums all over the country. It’s one that all health professionals need have on their bookshelves. – Marley Hall, Midwife, Speaker and Content Creator Sandra has captured not only her own experiences but those of many other Black mothers. My Black Motherhood made me laugh, it made me cry, but above all made me think and question. – Marian Knight, Professor of Maternal and Child Population Health, University of OxfordAn eye-opening read giving a platform to unheard voices, brilliantly highlighting the challenges Black mothers face, and offering tangible solutions. Everyone has something to learn from this book. – Jess Austin, First-Person and Opinion Editor, Metro.co.ukHonest and raw, it really gave me a true insight into the challenges for Black mothers in the UK. A must read for anyone working in perinatal services. – Kicki Hansard, Doula and author of The Secrets of BirthThis is the raw, unflinching, autobiographical account of Sandra Igwe, a black British woman with a Nigerian background, navigating a healthcare system that views black women as difficult, able to deal with pain, and probably single mothers or in abusive relationships…The women who speak their truth in this book do not feel cared for or understood by healthcare professionals. Read it and reflect on how we, as mental health professionals, play our own part in this shameful, contemporary injustice, and how we can do better. – Therapy TodayThe call to action for resources that may not exist for Black clinicians’ clients, family, friends, and even themselves is to create them * Black Mental Health Today *

Sandra Igwe is the Founder of The Motherhood Group, a platform and safe space to support the Black motherhood experience, through events, workshops, peer-to-peer support, collaborative projects, training, advocacy and campaigning. Sandra is co-chair of the National Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care and a trustee of Birthrights charity.