Picture this: You’re juggling your career, your side hustles, your social life—and yet, the moment you mention wanting a baby, the whole room changes. Eyes drop. Conversations stall. Even in 2025, the idea that women—especially women in high-performance fields—should openly talk about conception still makes people twitchy.

If you think we’ve moved past judging women for wanting children, think again. Just ask Chelsea Pitman, Nottingham Forest’s netball coach, who recently opened up to the BBC about her incredibly tough fertility journey. (If you missed her raw, honest interview, read it here.)

The Modern Motherhood Taboo—Why Does It Still Exist?

Let’s be real: it’s 2025, and yet so many women—athletes, artists, execs, creators—still get side-eyed for saying out loud that yes, they’d like a baby, please. Pitman’s confessions hit home for so many of us because it’s not just about her. It’s about all of us fighting to own our choices, no matter what field we’re in.

Why the silence? Why the weird shame?

Pitman herself describes feeling "judged for wanting babies" and the pressure to keep fertility struggles hidden, especially in professional sports. It’s like our culture can’t handle the idea that women can crush their goals and want to nurture a new life at the same time. As if the two are mutually exclusive.

My Own "Are You Sure?" Moment—And What Nobody Told Me

I’ll never forget the first time I told my boss I was thinking about starting a family. You’d have thought I’d just admitted to eating puppies. The questions came hard and fast:

• “But what about your career?”
• “Won’t you regret it?”
• “Are you sure now’s a good time?”

Spoiler: There’s never a good time. And the emotional gymnastics women perform—balancing dreams, timelines, and social expectations—are more exhausting than any HIIT class.

If It’s So Taboo, Who’s Actually Talking?

That’s why Pitman’s candor matters so much. She’s basically saying, "Hey, I’m here, I’m struggling, and you’re not alone." This isn’t just a sports story—it’s our story. Every year, more people are coming forward, sharing unfiltered truths about IVF, at-home insemination, loss, and the rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak.

But here’s what’s really wild: while public conversation inches forward, technology is absolutely sprinting ahead. Today, we have options our mothers and grandmothers never even imagined—at-home fertility kits, real-time ovulation tracking, and discreet resources for every situation.

Enter the Quiet Revolution: At-Home Fertility Tech

Case in point: When I first started thinking about alternative conception, the thought of endless clinic visits, awkward waiting rooms, and eye-watering bills nearly put me off. Then I stumbled on something game-changing: discreet, reusable insemination kits designed for home use. No more feeling like my private journey was a public performance for a waiting room full of strangers.

Here’s what surprised me most: These kits aren’t just for one "type" of family. They’re for LGBTQ+ couples, single parents by choice, couples facing fertility issues, and so many in-between stories that rarely get heard. For example, this resource-rich company offers a range of reusable at-home insemination kits tailored for different needs—which means you can choose the best fit for your body and situation, all without breaking the bank or your spirit. The fact that shipments are totally plain-labeled? That level of privacy can feel like a lifeline. (And yes, their average 67% success rate is real. I checked—twice.)

These tech-forward solutions help take the fear, shame, and awkwardness out of the conversation—and put power back into our hands. It’s about options, dignity, and rewiring the narrative around "trying for a baby."

How Do We Make Motherhood Conversations Less Taboo?

So let’s ask the real question: How do we actually break this taboo?

1. Normalize the chat. Whether you’re at brunch or in the break room, talk about your fertility journey the way you’d talk about any other life goal.
2. Celebrate the shares. When leaders and public figures like Pitman go public, don’t let their vulnerability disappear into the void. Amplify, comment, share their stories.
3. Lean on new tools. Use the best of at-home technology—because sometimes the first step to talking openly is having a plan you’re proud of.
4. Back each other up. Even a simple "You’ve got this" can make someone’s day.

The Bottom Line

Motherhood shouldn’t be a secret mission. Chelsea Pitman’s story is just one voice in a growing chorus calling for change—and for courage. Whether you’re shooting for gold on the netball court or trying to start your family at home (maybe with a little help from today’s amazing technology), you deserve to feel seen and supported.

So what’s stopping us from having these conversations out loud?

Maybe it’s time we all step onto the court, cheer each other on, and help rewrite the rules. Leave your thoughts and stories below—let’s make this the year we say goodbye to the fertility taboo, for good.