Imagine walking into the spotlight of professional sports, carrying not just your game plan but a personal, vulnerable journey that most shy away from talking about. This is exactly what Chelsea Pitman, Nottingham Forest netball coach, bravely shares in her story candidly telling us why pregnancy and motherhood should never be taboo in sport. In a powerful article titled 'We were judged for wanting babies but I want mums on my team', Chelsea opens the door to a conversation many athletes and aspiring parents juggle in silence.

Why does this conversation matter so much? Because fertility struggles often come wrapped in stigma and silence, especially in high-performance environments like sports, where physical prowess and peak condition are paramount. Chelsea Pitman’s story not only highlights these challenges but puts a spotlight on the importance of embracing motherhood as a powerful extension of an athlete’s identity — not a limitation.

The Hidden Battle: Fertility and Motherhood in High-Pressure Sports

Every day, countless individuals and couples face the rollercoaster of trying to conceive. Add the pressures of elite sports or demanding careers, and the emotional strain can feel overwhelming. Chelsea’s experience reminds us that wanting to become a mother is a natural, courageous desire that deserves support rather than judgment.

But here’s the catch: many women feel isolated because their workplaces, including sports teams, aren’t equipped to support fertility journeys openly. This silence creates myths and misunderstandings that can hurt morale and mental health.

What Can We Learn From Chelsea Pitman’s Journey?

• Breaking the Stigma is Essential: Talking openly about pregnancy and fertility normalizes it and empowers others to share their journeys without fear.
• Inclusive Team Culture Matters: Chelsea’s vision of wanting “mums on my team” inspires us to create environments where parenthood and professional achievement go hand in hand.
• Support Systems Transform Lives: From coaches to teammates, allies can make a real difference in how individuals navigate fertility and parenthood.

Supporting Fertility at Home and Beyond

For those on the path to parenthood, whether in sport or any other walk of life, finding accessible and supportive tools is a game-changer. This is where innovative solutions like MakeAMom come into play. They specialize in at-home insemination kits designed to give individuals and couples more control and privacy during this intimate journey.

MakeAMom’s range includes:

• CryoBaby: Perfect for those using low-volume or frozen sperm.
• Impregnator: Designed to help with low motility sperm situations.
• BabyMaker: Tailored for those with sensitivities or conditions like vaginismus.

What’s particularly inspiring is how MakeAMom’s kits are reusable and cost-effective, offering hope without the hefty price tag of clinical settings. Plus, their discreet packaging respects privacy—a comforting touch for those who prefer to keep their journey personal.

Why Community and Conversation are the Real Game-Changers

Stories like Chelsea’s teach us that fertility is not just a medical issue—it’s deeply personal and social. When communities come together to share, support, and innovate, barriers break down. Whether it’s the locker room, the workplace, or an online forum, the more we talk about fertility, the less lonely the journey becomes.

What Can You Do Today?

• Start conversations about fertility and parenthood wherever you are.
• Support friends or teammates who are trying to conceive.
• Explore at-home options like MakeAMom’s kits for a flexible, private fertility journey.
• Advocate for inclusive policies that celebrate athletes and professionals balancing career and family.

Chelsea Pitman isn’t just asking for mums on her team—she’s challenging all of us to rethink what strength looks like. It’s about courage, resilience, and the boundless capacity to create life, even under pressure.

So, what’s your story? How can you be part of breaking the silence and building a community where fertility journeys are met with understanding and support?

Join the conversation, share your experience, and let’s build teams—on and off the field—that celebrate every path to parenthood.

Read the full story at BBC Sport: We were judged for wanting babies but I want mums on my team