Oh Sis, You're Pregnant!: The Ultimate Guide to Black Pregnancy & Motherhood

by Shanicia Boswell

What to Expect When Black, Pregnant, and Expecting“This book stands as the modern-day guide to birthing while Black.” ―Angelina Ruffin-Alexander, certified nurse midwife

2021 International Book Awards finalist in Women’s Health#1 New Release in Pregnancy & Childbirth and Minority Demographic Studies, Medical Ethics, and Women's Health Nursing

Written with lighthearted humor and cultural context, Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant! discusses the stages of pregnancy, labor, and motherhood as they pertain to pregnant Black women today.

Tailored to today’s pregnant Black woman. In the age of social media, how do pregnant women communicate their big announcement? What are the best protective hairstyles for labor? Most importantly, how many pregnancy guides focus on issues like Black maternal birth rates and what it really looks like to be Black, pregnant, and single today? Written for the modern pregnant Black woman, Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant! is the essential what to expect when you're expecting guide to understanding pregnancy from a millennial Black mom’s point of view.

Interviews, stories, and advice for pregnant women. Written by Black Moms Blog founder, the book tackles hard topics in a way that truly resonate with modern Black moms. With stories from her experiences through pregnancy, labor, and motherhood, and lessons learned as a mother at twenty-two, Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant! focuses on the common knowledge Black pregnant mothers should consider when having their first baby. It also shares topics beneficial to pregnant Black women on their second, third, or fourth born.

Find answers to

Do I financially plan for my birth?Can I maintain my relationship and friendships during motherhood?Will I self-advocate for my rights in a world that already views me as less than?

If you enjoyed books like Medical Apartheid, 50 Things To Do Before You Deliver, The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, or Birthing Justice, then you’ll love Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant!

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2021

Reviews

[Summertime Readaholic · Rating 2 out of 5]

According to good reads, 2 stars means "it was okay". I didn't dislike it and I didn't like it. This book was kind of "meh" for me. I really wanted to like this book. I was so excited to read it, but it just fell flat for me. Maybe I am just not the audience this is written for.

Don't get me wrong. I am a black childbearing person, but I am also:
a childbirth educator
a doula
40

This book reads like a series of blog posts strung together and called chapters. There was really nothing of substance here. While there are 6 great interviews (OB, 2 midwives, nutritionist and a lactation consultant) with experts sprinkled throughout, it was mostly a bunch "sistah girl" talk. It feels like sitting around the living room chatting with all your female relatives and hearing their opinions. The only other real positive for this book is that it is open to both medicated and unmedicated birthers and strives very hard to remain neutral on most sensitive topics.

Perhaps, if I had just been looking for a little moral support to feel okay with my choices while pregnant or if I were younger and still uneducated about pregnancy and birth, this book would have put my nerves at ease and given me direction, solace and encouragement to do what was best for me regardless of family/cultural beliefs.

But I am not.

I am a professional childbirth educator and doula.

I picked this book up to see if it might be a great resource for my clients when looking for pregnancy books specific to the black experience, but this is just girlfriend talk with some solid experts thrown in. You could've gotten this info for free on the author's blog and forum sites. It just wouldn't be packaged up and sorted for you so nicely.

OVERALL, if you just want a light read that validates and supports the black experience in regards to pregnancy and birth, this will work.

If you are looking for real substance, look elsewhere.

[K. ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

April 4, 2022 12:32PM - This book was absolutely everything and more! I’m not pregnant (yet), but I greatly enjoyed being educated on sooo many different concepts so that I’m well prepared before that time comes. Shanicia literally broke down every possible thought you might come across when thinking of what it means to be pregnant as a women of color and transformed what that truly means for the individual reader. I definitely see myself picking up this book again in the future and it’ll definitely be a staple in my library. Thank you Ms. Boswell for your honesty and transparency because it did not go unnoticed!

September 24, 2025 11:53PM - It was only right that I reread this book while I patiently wait on the arrival of my little bundle of joy! Once again this book is a true staple in my library and I'm grateful that I was able to come back to it, especially as I take on this journey of being a Mother.

[Tyanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like there were some missed moments here. She mentioned how high the c section rate was but not why. It's so important that black women understand how interventions impact them. But there was a lot of great things that I know won't be addressed in other books. Dealing with telling your mom she can't come, breastfeeding while black, how friendships change, the fear and stimga with PPD. I honestly never thought about women being scared they'd have their child taken away that part really opened my eyes. The milky mama part felt like an advertisement in the middle of the book though. I hated the lack of medical terms also but I get that she is trying to sound like a sister but I could have done without pussy 800 times in 5 minutes lol. I also appreciated the the part about peopl not being required to help you with your child. I think this is something missed with young mothers. But I definitely think this book is great for beginners with a limited foundation.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

With everything from balancing a diet to getting back to almost before normal, this book covers it. Very nicely organized and easy to enjoy.

[Río · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is neither Black nor pregnant, I was not quite the intended audience for this book. Nevertheless, as I am on this journey of supporting a pregnant friend, I found this book a helpful overview - not only of pregnancy, but also of birth, the months/years after, and specific challenges related to being a Black woman.

It covered the basics, as many other books do, but also included specific details (rather than erroring on the side of general concepts) and worked to education the reader rather than pressure them into one choice or another. I specifically appreciated how she spoke to the birthing person as a person, not just as a baby-producer. Her tips on maintaining ones health include clear, strong guidance and encouragement on maintaining and strengthening ones emotional and mental self as well, which I appreciated. It was nice to read a book that focused on the personhood of a person, while being impacted by pregnancy and childbirth, not being reduced to only that.

Enjoyed the personal detailed appreciated the scientific ones. Would recommend it as a good, general overview of pregnancy, with a reminder of some of the impacts of discrimination and historical trauma on pregnancy.

[Hadiyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal!! I am grateful Shanicia was able to get this important resource out to the world during a pandemic! I am grateful I have benefited from it during my first pregnancy journey. This book provides a wealth of information while simultaneously making you feel like you are sitting having a conversation with Aunty or a close cousin. The language is easy to digest and there are a lot of great recommendations that you can implement in your birthing journey. This book has added to my ease on this journey and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Dezi Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Black woman I’ve been trying to make sure I educate myself on being pregnant from a Black woman’s perspective. I loved this book because it educated me not only on being a pregnant woman but also the things to be aware of as a Black pregnant woman. So much of the information out there ignores this aspect of pregnancy and, for Black women especially, it’s such a crucial part of the process. After reading this book I feel more educated about what to expect and I’m grateful to have read it.

[Ce Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love it ! She even touches on a topics that no other book for pregnancy and new moms has !!!! Definitely glad I bought this book !!

[Shaakirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will recommend to a mommy somewhere

It was great to read a pregnancy book by someone who looks likes me. Loved it and will recommend to others.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!!! A pregnancy book from a Black woman's perspective. This book was amazing and spot on. So nice to hear this helpful information in a relatable context. A must-read for any Black mom-to-be.

[Kyndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative! Great read, alot of things I didn't know and implemented with My must recent pregnancy.

[Serena Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this for my daughter. This is her first pregnancy and she has a lot of questions. This book has been very helpful in answering those questions.

[Cecelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read enough of this one to consider it finished. It was very basic, and I don't think there was a lot of info that was specific to the Black motherhood journey.

[Jessica-Lee Douglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative read as someone who works with pregnant women. I’d highly recommend it!