Jessica Kingsley nets ‘searing indictment’ of Black maternal healthcare by Igwe  

Jessica Kingsley Publishers has signed My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System by Black maternal advocate Sandra Igwe.  

Commissioning editor Elen Griffiths acquired world English language rights directly from the author. My Black Motherhood will be published in trade paperback and e-book on 21st June 2022.

Igwe is the founder of The Motherhood Group, a platform designed to support the Black motherhood experience through events, workshops, peer-to-peer support, collaborative projects and campaigning. She is also a co-chair of the National Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care and a trust of the Birthrights charity. 

When Igwe became pregnant with her daughter she fell victim to the "strong Black mother" myth and did not find the support she needed in pre-natal care, during a traumatic birth and in post-natal care. In My Black Motherhood, Igwe shares her journey and the voices of other Black mothers.

Griffiths commented: “Sandra is passionate about opening the conversation on perinatal mental health, and how systemic biases  in health services affec t Black mothers’ experiences of birth and parenthood.  My Black Motherhood  shines a light onto these crucial issues. We’re delighted to be able to share Sandra’s story – and the voices of other mothers — through her moving and insightful book, which is a brilliant addition to JKP’s publishing focusing on maternal health and experiences.”  

Igwe added: “When I first became a mother, I felt like I had to be silent to all of the struggles that came with my new role, while I only highlighted the positives — but didn’t dare to speak on the elements  that were slowly crippling me, affecting my mental health and essentially  my life. Now imagine that the services that are supposed  to support you, help you, – are what you fear the most, and trust is nowhere to be found. Then the pressures that accompany the rich culture and traditions that you were raised or born into often aren’t  spoken of or cause further conflict. That’s not just my story, but the story of so many other  Black women that embark on their  motherhood journey.” 

“I’m so glad that what I have written will give so many mothers, Black mothers, a voice, make us feel seen, heard, and hopefully  understood,” she continued. “This book has been a journey  for me, almost therapeutic, but so necessary.”