Chelsea Pitman: England legend hopes to encourage peers to share stories after opening up on pregnancy issues

Vitality Roses legend Chelsea Pitman spoke to Sky Sports about why her decision to call time on a stellar international netball career was fueled by a dream to become a mother, and how she hopes talking openly about her fertility issues could inspire other athletes to do the same doing

Chelsea Pitman has previously spoken candidly about her fertility issues. The England legend had no qualms about retelling her story after announcing her retirement last week in a bid to get other athletes to do the same.

The 35-year-old played in her country’s first World Cup final in Cape Town earlier this year, as England were defeated 61-45 by Australia.

A month later, she has left the international game to delve deeper into her issues and work to shift the narrative around taboo topics surrounding pregnancy and reproduction.

““I think I’ve been honest that I’ve had two ectopic pregnancies and two miscarriages,” the former England striker said. Air sports.

“My body has been my office for so long and I lead an extremely healthy lifestyle. So it was quite a shock to encounter such difficulties again and again – and I live quite a physical lifestyle too.

“I need to take this time to get more tests done, to look at the egg freezing timeline. That’s not a week, and there’s so much I still don’t know about my hormones. I hope I open up will pose and talk about it, it creates a safe space for other athletes and women to share their stories.

“I know I endured it for so long, and it wasn’t until I talked about it and shared it that a weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I found myself in a community with many other women going through the same thing.”

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Former Red Roses player Chelsea Pitman has announced her retirement from international netball, saying she wants to prioritize pregnancy issues after hoping to create a ‘safe space’ for other women with similar issues.

Pitman is open about the fact that her decision to retire, while a difficult one, was partly fueled by her dreams of becoming a mother.

“It was one of the hardest decisions (I’ve ever made),” she said.

“I’d love to be able to say I could play until I’m 50, but just the landscape where I am, away from the netball court, I have to concentrate on that a little bit, and unfortunately that’s down to my age and the commitment and sacrifice needed to play for your country.

“We have our regular season, and in our off-season, if you’re not part of an international team, you can do whatever you want. But if you’re an international player, you are.” giving up months of your life.

“At 35, I can honestly say that when I consider the fertility path, I want to be a mother. I have to make that sacrifice for myself, for the future, knowing that I have achieved everything I’ve ever wanted.” reaches”.

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Chelsea Pitman says it is an ‘honor and privilege’ to make her 50th appearance for England as the team defeated Fiji to clinch their place in the semi-finals of the Netball World Cup.

The next steps in her domestic playing career should help facilitate that.

She said: “I am going to play in Australia in the Suncorp Super Netball League but there is still no CPA (Collective Player Agreement) signed so there are no contracts available for players to sign which is quite frustrating.

But it is what it is right now, and I can’t let that stress me out, so I have verbally agreed to a team, that’s all I can say, and I’m excited. away from the international stage, but I will still play elite netball.”