The global players’ union FIFPRO recently released a guide focused on maternity in professional soccer, aiming to provide players and teams with best practices on managing pregnancy, childbirth, and returning to play. The guide, titled “Postpartum Return to Play Guide,” was developed with input from former players such as Cheyna Matthews, Crystal Dunn, Almuth Schult, and Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir. These players, who have experienced pregnancy during their careers, helped create the protocol based on their experiences and challenges.
FIFPRO’s guide builds upon FIFA’s regulations concerning maternity and parental rights, which were initially introduced in 2021 and expanded further this year. Dr. Alex Culvin, FIFPRO’s director of policy and strategic relations for women’s soccer, highlighted the significance of providing players with guidance on pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery. The aim is to dispel the misconception that professional athletes cannot have children while pursuing their careers and show that it is possible to balance both aspects successfully.
The guide features contributions from medical professionals, including Dr. Pippa Bennett, Dr. Rita Tomas, Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale, and FIFPRO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge. These experts provided valuable insights and recommendations on managing pregnancy and postpartum recovery while maintaining professional athletic performance. Cheyna Matthews, a former professional soccer player who had her first child during her playing career, emphasized the importance of having a supportive team environment and proper guidelines in place to ease the stress and challenges faced by pregnant players.
Matthews, who represented Jamaica at the 2019 and 2023 Women’s World Cup, shared her experience of balancing motherhood and professional soccer, highlighting the support she received from her national team and club team. As more players express interest in starting families during their playing careers, FIFPRO’s guide aims to empower them with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate pregnancy, childbirth, and return to play effectively. The guide serves as a comprehensive resource for players from the moment they discover they are pregnant, offering guidance and support throughout the entire process.
By centralizing player experiences, scientific expertise, and expert advice, FIFPRO’s guide aims to shift the narrative around pregnancy and professional sports, demonstrating that it is possible for athletes to have children while continuing to excel in their careers. The union’s efforts to provide comprehensive support for pregnant players reflect a growing recognition of the unique challenges they face and the need for tailored resources to ensure their well-being and success on and off the field. As more players embrace the possibility of starting families during their playing careers, resources like FIFPRO’s guide play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and support for women in professional soccer.
