Why We Need Moms on Our Teams: The Unspoken Truth About Fertility and Sport

Posted on 23 July 2025 by Priya Patel — 4 min

“We were judged for wanting babies but I want mums on my team.” This powerful statement from Nottingham Forest netball coach Chelsea Pitman highlights a harsh reality many women in sports face: the conflict between pursuing motherhood and maintaining their athletic careers. Pitman’s candid reflections on her fertility journey shed light on a topic that’s still taboo in many professional environments, yet it demands our attention more than ever.

The Invisible Struggle of Female Athletes

For years, female athletes have been silently battling not only their competitors but also societal expectations and stigmas around pregnancy and motherhood. Pitman’s story, recounted in a recent BBC article, reveals how the desire to start a family was met with judgment rather than support — a reality that can push many women to delay or even abandon their parenting dreams.

This struggle isn’t isolated to sports. Across all walks of life, women face tough choices balancing fertility, pregnancy, and professional aspirations. But what if the solutions to these challenges didn’t have to be so complicated or isolating?

Breaking the Taboo: Empowering Women with Accessible Fertility Options

The first step is starting an open conversation about fertility and pregnancy’s place in women’s lives — including those in high-performance domains. But beyond dialogue, practical tools can make a colossal difference. Enter the world of at-home insemination kits, designed to provide autonomy and privacy for individuals and couples navigating fertility challenges.

MakeAMom, a pioneering company in this space, offers innovative reusable insemination kits such as CryoBaby, Impregnator, and BabyMaker. Each is tailored to address specific fertility needs, from low motility sperm to user sensitivities like vaginismus. These kits provide a cost-effective, discreet alternative to clinical fertility treatments, empowering users to take control of their reproductive journeys in the comfort of their own homes.

Why Reusable Insemination Kits Are a Game-Changer

Privacy: All MakeAMom products come in plain packaging without identifying information, giving users confidentiality.
Cost-Effectiveness: Unlike disposable options, MakeAMom kits are reusable, reducing ongoing expenses.
High Success Rate: With an average 67% success rate, these kits offer hope backed by real results.
Tailored Solutions: From frozen sperm (CryoBaby) to low motility sperm (Impregnator), there’s a kit to meet individual needs.

These features make at-home insemination not only a practical option but also an empowering one, especially for women like Chelsea Pitman, who may need flexible, stigma-free ways to pursue pregnancy without sacrificing their careers.

Creating Inclusive Spaces in Sports and Beyond

Pitman’s call for having mums on her team is more than a wish; it’s a rallying cry for inclusive policies and cultural shifts. Sports organizations, employers, and society at large must recognize that supporting women through fertility journeys improves team morale, retention, and overall well-being.

Imagine a future where:

Female athletes access reproductive resources tailored to their unique needs.
Workplaces normalize pregnancy and parenting without penalty.
Fertility support is accessible outside expensive clinical settings.
Returning parents receive encouragement and practical accommodations.

This isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s grounded in actionable change, and part of that is adopting sustainable, user-friendly reproductive tools.

How You Can Support Change Today

Educate Yourself and Others: Share stories like Chelsea Pitman’s to challenge stigma.
Advocate for Policy Reform: Push for sports and workplace policies that support pregnant and parenting women.
Explore Sustainable Fertility Solutions: Learn about affordable at-home options like the kits offered by MakeAMom.
Join Conversations: Use your platforms to normalize fertility discussions.

The Road Ahead: Intersection of Sustainability and Fertility Autonomy

As the world increasingly emphasizes eco-friendly choices, reproductive health isn’t exempt. Reusable insemination kits represent a small but meaningful step toward reducing medical waste and lowering the environmental impact associated with fertility treatments.

So, what’s the takeaway? Women in sport—and all women—deserve the freedom to choose motherhood without judgment, without barriers, and with sustainable, effective tools at their fingertips.

Let’s keep this conversation alive. Because having mums on teams and in all areas of life isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a necessity for a more inclusive, compassionate future.

What do you think? How can communities better support women navigating fertility? Share your thoughts below!