Photo: Jeffrey F. Lin | Unsplash
While many mothers are physically active after childbirth in individual activities such as yoga, running and walking, we wondered about team sports. We chose storytelling as a way of exploring the successes and challenges postpartum mothers experienced in team sport. While it often involved navigating challenges, such as lack of time, childcare and breastfeeding, the mothers shared stories of how much they valued team sport. Taking time for self-care through sport was an act of resistance against the expectation of being the “perfect mother.” Resisting this expectation helped them feel more confident as women, athletes and mothers. Women shared stories about the importance of support networks of partners, family and friends. Teammates also fostered a sense of community and support that encouraged players’ participation, encouraging mothers to return to sport post-childbirth, maintaining relationships with participants while on leave, and helping care for their babies on the sidelines.
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