My Black Motherhood

by Sandra Igwe

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Unknown Binding

Published June 21, 2022

Reviews

[Beth Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read, particularly for anyone working in Maternity or Mental Health.

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was referenced in Lucy Jones’ Matresence. I’d gotten the impression that it would focus more on social services but it’s primarily about maternal mental health, which is not hugely interesting to me

[Robert Claireson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a mother, nor am I a Black woman, but I am a health care worker, a friend, a woman, a community member. We all have to be in this together, we have to BE the community.

[fullybookedtt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I didn't fact-check all the author's references of statistics or medical procedures. I simply read her story and as a Caribbean woman...I was angry!

It's not the type of book you speed through. It's provoking and requires deep thought.

A simplification of this book would be that its about how culture shapes black motherhood and the ability to pursue positive wellbeing whilst living in a society that denies the racism underlying its healthcare policies and practices and throughout most social systems. To read the book is to know that these realities can not be simplified.

Overall it was very well written with a clear, firm tone, inclusive of anecdotes, poetry and facts that emphasized the salient points and described in detail the experiences and emotions that are often so hidden and near taboo. Maybe being from the Caribbean makes it easier to relate, but I felt the fullness of her displeasure and the necessity of this book. It is beyond time to dismantle the Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema.

Read it to understand yourself now, your future self; to know your mother, sister, wife, friend, coworker, or neighbour better. Read it for you.

[Kate Hendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am long retired but worked for 29years in community health services as an HV . I worked in city centre with all nationalities and ethnicities , majoring in last years with teen parents . The feelings , emotions and behaviour were very familiar to me as described by a a mum suffering from depression and anxiety . The isolation , hiding , and cover up are not exclusive behaviours of a particular skin colour. They were of a lady crying out for help and understand and legitimising of her emotions . The services failed her but sadly this is not first time and will not be last , which makes my blood boil. It takes time to gain trust in a health care professional for any new mother and Sandra was failed by hers . I find it difficult to accept totally on grounds of race / ethnicity / culture. Hence my disappointment in the book .
This book saddened me deeply .

[Mel Stephan]

Note: I don't give star ratings for non fiction

I think Sandra Igwe did a great job of calling attention to both universal motherhood experiences and the unique experiences of black mothers. Her writing is beautiful and totally approachable and I loved the interspersed poetry and verse. It was interesting for me to read from the perspective of someone in the UK since I'm usually surrounded by American voices. I'm interested in reading more about this topic from other places in the world and other authors.

The only issue I had was that the audiobook I got on Libby was not formatted very well, so it had a few long breaks and the chapters didn't line up, so I'd recommend the physical copy.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a white NHS doctor I'm very glad I read this book, and will be making some subtle but very real changes in how I interact with my black patients based on it. I loved the poetry and the use of many stories from other black women interspersed throughout Sandra's own writing. I enjoyed the opportunity to hear black women's own take on experiences they have had in dealing the the NHS/maternity services, and felt very angry and upset about some of the incidents described, and the statistics quoted! Not 5* as it was very repetitive in places especially in the middle

[Lilian Levesque · Rating 5 out of 5]

« Being black comes with its troubles, being a woman comes with its troubles and being a mother comes with its troubles. So imagine being all three. » Melinda Adewabe

As a white European male I cannot ever imagine the struggles and can only acknowledge the privileges given to me. Reading books for which you may not be (I am likely not) the target audience allows understanding, development in cultural awareness and growth in empathy.

Thank you for this collection of black women stories and their experiences in a world where intersectionality challenges every step of their lives.

I look like the nemesis but I hear you.

[Explore With Kelsey B · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does this book only have 10 ratings???!! It’s so good!!!! Go read it RIGHT NOW

[Clare Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving stories of black women’s experience of health and giving birth

[Wandering Seal · Rating 5 out of 5]

White person here. I knew the statistics around giving birth as a Black woman, but hearing the stories in this book was infinity more impactful. A very, very worthwhile read.