**The Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller**
Dear Reader, When I found myself experiencing a motherhood that I never expected, one that I was terrified of living, I didn't know how I would carry on being 'normal'. I didn't know how much I would long for people to say my son Teddy's name, to not treat him like he didn't exist. Maybe you're in this boat too, or maybe you want to support someone who is? Whatever your reason, I hope our story goes a little way to help. Love, Elle
What do you do when the unthinkable happens?
Elle Wright had an admittedly easy pregnancy - her scans went well, she and her baby were healthy throughout, and in May 2016, she and her husband welcomed their son, Teddy, into the world.
Just a few hours after giving birth, they woke to find a nurse holding a cold and unresponsive Teddy, who had stopped breathing during the night. The happiest day of Elle's life had turned into every parent's worst nightmare, and she had to let her beautiful baby boy go. Three days after delivering him into the world, Elle sat with Teddy in her arms as he took his last breaths, and tucked him in for the final time.
Ask Me His Name is a moving account of Elle's pregnancy, Teddy's life, and what happens when a mother leaves a hospital with empty arms. In the UK, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in premature death, but conversations about the heartbreakingly frequent issue of baby loss are few and far between. In this honest, beautifully written and hopeful exploration of a different kind of mothering, Elle explores how she navigated a parenthood that no one had prepared her for.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Tommy's charity. Reg. (1060508)
About the Author
Elle Wright is a wife, mother, homemaker, and blogger. After the death of her son, Teddy, at three days old, Elle started writing to navigate her new life and as a way to feel purpose again. Her Feathering The Empty Nest blog is a way of finding light in darkness, positivity in times of desperation and, hopefully, making a few people laugh along the way. Elle was the 2018 recipient of the Mum's Voice Award from Tommy's, the baby charity, which celebrates one mom who has spoken out about her own pregnancy experience and given hope to others.
Industry Reviews
Teddy is such a lucky little boy to have Elle as his mummy. I have no doubt that he is so proud of the way Elle speaks about him and honours him in all that she does. A beautiful book, from a wonderful woman, about a very special little boy * Giovanna Fletcher *
Ask Me His Name has touched me like no other book has ever done. I did not want to put it down until it was finished. An incredibly powerful, raw, honest and emotional story of a wonderful family and the heartbreaking loss of their beautiful baby boy, Teddy, told through the words of his loving mum. This book will stay with you long after you have put it down * Jools Oliver *
To be able to openly share the unthinkable and write about Teddy with such truth, honesty, beauty and humour takes huge courage. This is such an important book that spoke to me on so many levels - it will give you a deeper understanding about the reality of grief and the true meaning of a mother's love -- Izzy Judd, bestselling author of Dare to Dream
Though heartbreaking in places, Ask Me His Name is a remarkably uplifting tale of a mother's love for her son who was born but could not stay. By offering such a raw and honest insight into what happened, Elle opens up the conversation and this in turn helps us all to not be afraid to say something - anything! - to parents who have lost children, when we might otherwise have said nothing at all. This is such an important read and it must have taken an extraordinary amount of courage to write and share the most personal of stories with the world -- Sarah Turner, The Unmumsy Mum
Bold, compelling and heartwrenchingly honest, this story of how humans can cope in the darkest of hours will blow you away * Marina Fogle *
It takes a huge amount of courage to re-integrate into the world again after your anticipated version of motherhood has been so brutally and painfully ripped away from you. Yet fuelled by the love of Teddy, Elle has managed to transform her pain into power, becoming a beacon of healing light for all that is so very much needed in this world -- Anna Lewis (sketchymuma)
