We don’t often hear the stories of women in sport who are battling fertility challenges, yet those stories need to be told. Chelsea Pitman, Nottingham Forest netball coach, recently opened up about her tough fertility journey and how pregnancy and motherhood shouldn’t be taboo topics in the world of sports. Her candid reflections in the article ‘We were judged for wanting babies but I want mums on my team’ made me pause and think deeply about how society views fertility, especially in arenas traditionally focused on physical performance and competition.

The Silent Struggle: Why Fertility is Still Taboo in Sport

Imagine being at the peak of your athletic career, yet feeling pressure not just from your sport but also from societal expectations about motherhood. Chelsea’s story highlights something many women face but few talk about openly: the judgment and stigma that come with wanting children as an athlete or coach.

She said it beautifully—she wants mothers on her team, not despite their motherhood status but because of it. This perspective challenges the outdated idea that motherhood and high-level sport are mutually exclusive.

Fertility Challenges Are More Common Than You Think

What Chelsea's journey underscores is something that resonates beyond professional athletes: fertility struggles affect millions of people. And one of the key factors often linked to male fertility difficulties is low sperm motility — the ability of sperm to move effectively to fertilize an egg.

If you or your partner are navigating this complicated landscape, know that you’re far from alone. Advances in technology have made it possible to take steps toward conception even outside of traditional clinical settings — offering hope, control, and privacy.

Empowering Families with At-Home Options

This is where innovative solutions like the ones offered by MakeAMom come into play. They provide discreet, at-home insemination kits designed to support individuals and couples facing obstacles with fertility — including challenges like low sperm motility or sensitivities that make clinical insemination uncomfortable.

What’s more, MakeAMom’s kits are reusable and cost-effective, helping to ease the financial and emotional burden of fertility treatments. They even offer specialized kits, like the Impregnator for low motility sperm and the BabyMaker for those with conditions like vaginismus, demonstrating a thoughtful approach tailored to diverse needs.

Why Talking About Fertility Matters

By discussing stories like Chelsea’s openly, we break down the isolation and stigma surrounding fertility struggles. We also reaffirm that fertility journeys don’t have to be hidden or complicated by shame—whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or anyone dreaming of parenthood.

More importantly, these conversations encourage us to build supportive communities that embrace parenthood in all its forms. Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally, using at-home kits, or working with medical professionals, sharing your experience fosters understanding and hope.

What Can You Do?

• Start the conversation: If you feel comfortable, share your story or listen to others. It normalizes the ups and downs of fertility.
• Explore all your options: Consider discreet and user-friendly at-home insemination kits if you need alternatives to clinical treatments.
• Support moms on your team: Whether in a workplace, sports team, or social group, champion those balancing parenthood and other passions.

Chelsea Pitman’s journey is a powerful reminder that wanting to be a parent is a natural part of life, not a barrier to achievement. Fertility isn’t just a private struggle—it’s a shared human experience that deserves empathy and support.

If you’re navigating your own fertility challenges and want to learn more about supportive, innovative approaches, MakeAMom's at-home insemination kits might be a resource worth exploring.

What’s your story? How do you think we can better support people balancing fertility and life goals? Let’s talk about it in the comments!