Resources for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage pregnant women and birthing people
There are lots of organisations that can give support specifically to Black and Black mixed-heritage women and birthing people.
Please note that the links on these pages lead to external websites that other women have told us they find helpful. We have no control over the content and we are unable to review it.
Best Beginnings
Best Beginnings is a UK-based charity that provides evidence-based information and support to parents and professionals who want to promote children's development. It develops simple, educational and interactive tools, such as the Baby Buddy app to support parents-to-be and new parents so every child in the UK has the best start in life.
Resources:
Instagram: bestbeginningscharity
Black Mamas Birth Village
Black Mamas Birth Village is a community for Black pregnant women and new mamas. Grow your knowledge and feel fully supported though your journey from pregnancy to motherhood.
Resources:
Online course: Black Birth and Parenting Success
The City Midwife
The City Midwife is an Instagram account run privately by one of our own Tommy's Midwives Alanna. Alanna gives pregnancy and postnatal tips to empower women through pregnancy and beyond.
Instagram: the_city_midwife
FiveXMore
Five X More is dedicated to supporting mothers with its campaigning work and recommendations. It focuses on empowering Black women to make informed choices and advocate for themselves throughout their pregnancies and after childbirth.
Resources:
6 Steps For Mothers And Birthing People
Instagram: FiveXMore
Twitter: FiveXMore
Mama and Me - Doula Services
Mama and me are passionate about helping families find their space and come into their own as they embrace their birthing and parenting journey.
Resources:
Speaking out for Black Babywearing
Course: The Black Babywearing School
Breastfeeding As A Black Woman In Modern Day UK - Vanisha Virgo
YouTube: All4Birth: Reflecting on 'UK Black Breastfeeding Week 2021'
Maternity Engagement Action CIC
Maternity Engagement Action CIC provide safe spaces and peer support for black women throughout pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood. Their aim is to empower Black women and raise awareness of how to request and expect clinically & culturally safe, compassionate, and equitable maternity care.
Resources:
Private Facebook Group: Melanin Mumz of Brum
Instagram: Maternity Engagement Action
Twitter: Maternity Engagement Action
Facebook: Maternity Engagement Action
Mayah’s Legacy
Mayah's Legacy was founded in 2020 to empower and educate those affected by pregnancy loss with the tools they need to have their voices heard. Through a unique combination of empowerment, intuition and communication resources, they contribute to rebuilding lives in a truly authentic way.
Resources:
Real talk – self-advocacy conversation
Instagram: Mayah’s Legacy
Twitter: Mayah’s Legacy
Facebook: Mayah’s Legacy
The Motherhood Group
The Motherhood Group was founded by Sandra Igwe in 2016, after the traumatic birth of her first daughter, Zoe Igwe. It is a social enterprise that supports the Black maternal experience by delivering community-based events, training workshops, peer-to-peer support, national campaigns (Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK), and culturally sensitive programmes for Black mothers.
Resources:
Support offered by The Motherhood Group
Melanin Mothers
Melanin Mothers is a black-owned London based, independent, maternity education and advocacy enterprise.
Resources:
Instagram: Melanin Mothers
Motivational Mums Club
At the Motivational Mums Club, a team of Psychologists provide free mental health sessions to mothers and birthing people and mums-to-be. They also work closely with healthcare bodies to improve on mental health healthcare services for ethnic minorities who have suffered from near death experiences, birth trauma and more.
Resources:
Free Trauma/Mindfulness/Meditation session
Spotify Podcast: Pregnant again within 3 months of birth: Chrissy Brown
Instagram: Motivational Mums Club
Dr Orinayo Onabanjo - Perinatal Counselling Psychologist
Dr Orinayo Onabanjo Individual psychological therapy, group therapy, psychological wellbeing in pregnancy workshops, birth debriefs, birth preparation sessions, pregnancy and postnatal wellness planning sessions, perinatal mental health training for organisations.
Resources:
What is prenatal depression? Symptoms, signs and support
How motherhood changes you and your identity
YouTube: When should I ask for help with how I’m feeling?
YouTube: Pregnancy, Birth and Induction of Labour Web Series: Day 2
Instagram: Top 5 tips for black mums to support their own mental health
Spotify Podcast: Mum guilt, trauma and systemic inequality
Spotify Podcast: Black Perinatal Mental Health
Spotify Podcast: Perinatal Mental Health - Let's talk
Women’s Health & Maternal Well-being Initiative C.I.C
Women’s Health & Maternal Well-being Initiative C.I.C are working with girls and women from diverse backgrounds with a targeted interest in African, African- Caribbean and mixed heritage backgrounds to pursue a world where racial health inequalities no longer exist and the well-being and prosperity of girls’ and women are at the heart of health equity.
Resources:
This organisation provides many pregnancy services, webinars and groups that are specifically for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women.