Why Do We Still Shy Away from Moms in Sports? A Netball Coach’s Fertility Fight Will Shock You

- Posted in Emotional Well-Being & Support by

Ever felt like you had to choose between your career and becoming a mom? If so, you’re not alone—and Chelsea Pitman’s story might just blow your mind. The Nottingham Forest netball coach recently opened up about her fertility struggles and how the sports world still treats pregnancy and motherhood like taboo topics. Spoiler alert: it’s time for a major mindset makeover.

Chelsea’s story, shared in this revealing BBC article, is not just about netball. It’s about the universal, often hush-hush challenges women face when they want to grow their families while chasing their professional dreams. She’s been judged, questioned, and sidelined simply because she wanted both—a baby and a team of her own.

Why does this stigma persist?

It’s baffling that in 2025, we still treat the intersection of fertility and work—especially motherhood in sports—as some kind of scandal. Is it fear? Is it outdated stereotypes? Or is it just plain ignorance? Whatever the cause, many women like Chelsea endure the emotional rollercoaster alone, as if fertility struggles were their burden to bear in silence.

Here’s where it gets interesting: What if the solution is right at your fingertips?

For women balancing hectic careers and sensitive fertility issues, home insemination kits have become a game-changer. They offer privacy, flexibility, and a supportive alternative to clinical visits—because let’s be honest, sometimes you don’t want to share your every step with the whole world (or a crowded waiting room).

Take, for instance, companies like MakeAMom. They’ve designed innovative at-home insemination kits like CryoBaby, Impregnator, and BabyMaker tailored to different needs—from low motility sperm to users with conditions like vaginismus. These kits are reusable, discreetly packaged, and cost-effective, with a reported average success rate of 67%. That’s not just technology; that’s hope wrapped in convenience.

But it’s not just about the tools. It’s about breaking down the barriers.

Imagine a sports world where coaches, athletes, and staff discuss fertility and motherhood as naturally as game tactics. Where support systems welcome future moms instead of sidelining them. Chelsea’s plea for “mums on my team” isn’t just poetic—it’s a clarion call to all industries to rethink their culture.

So, how can you join this movement?

  • Educate yourself and others about the realities of fertility and motherhood challenges.
  • Champion flexibility and privacy in workplaces and sports teams to support parents-to-be.
  • Explore at-home fertility options like those offered by companies focused on empowering families in their own space.

Speaking of which, if you or someone you know is exploring at-home fertility solutions, MakeAMom’s thoughtfully designed kits could be the discreet, effective companion you need.

What’s the takeaway here?

Motherhood and career ambitions are not mutually exclusive. The world needs more voices like Chelsea’s to break the silence, more understanding about fertility journeys, and more accessible, empowering options for those trying to conceive outside traditional clinical settings.

As Chelsea Pitman’s experience shows us, the fight is real, but so is the hope—a hope fueled by innovation, compassion, and a refusal to let outdated stigmas dictate our lives.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to rewrite the playbook on motherhood and sports, work, or life in general? Share your thoughts below—because every voice counts in changing the game.