Becoming a mother while maintaining an elite sports career is a path filled with both challenges and opportunities. Laura Deas, an Olympic skeleton athlete and BEAA Ambassador, has done just that.
Her daughter was born in spring 2024, and she has since returned to training. Here, Laura offers valuable insights for other athlete mothers navigating – or considering navigating – a similar journey.
The BEAA runs a network for athlete parents to support and connect them. Find out more and join here.
One of the key lessons Laura emphasises is the importance of recognising that every pregnancy, every body, and every recovery is different. As an athlete, it’s easy to feel pressure to return to peak physical condition as quickly as possible, but Laura’s advice is to be patient.
“Your body will never be exactly the same again,” she notes, acknowledging the significant physical changes that pregnancy and childbirth bring. However, she emphasises that anything is possible with determination and the right conditions: “You’ll still be able to get back to a really good condition if you want to; you just necessarily won’t feel 100% the same as you did before.”
When contemplating the return to elite sport, Laura was careful not to rush into any decisions. She understood that the journey back would be a gradual process, one that required flexibility and an open mind.
“I always felt that I wanted to keep my options open because... until you’re in it, you don’t really know how it’s going to be,” she explained.
Laura’s return to training was not dictated by a rigid timeline but rather by her own judgement. She continued to train throughout her pregnancy to give herself the best chance to return if she chose to, but she remained open to the possibility that her priorities might shift.
However post-partum, Laura admitted, “I was desperate to get back into some sort of training as soon as possible… But I took my time after having her [Laura's daughter] before going back into training. I took a good few weeks and saw the relevant physios to get a sign off physically and then we agreed to a very flexible schedule.”
A big challenge Laura faced was finding a way to balance the demands of training with the responsibilities of motherhood. “It takes you twice as long as you think to do anything when you’ve got a baby with you!” she said.
To navigate this, Laura and her husband established a part-time training routine that allowed her to maintain her connection to the sport while also being present for their daughter.
Laura stresses the importance of having a structure in place, but also the necessity of being adaptable. “I think it’s important to try and come up with a bit of a structure but then also within that, you have to know to be flexible as well,” she advised.
The balance of planning and adaptability is essential for any athlete mother juggling training and parenting. Laura’s experience highlights the need to recognise that some days will go smoothly, while others may require a more lenient approach.
Laura was initially concerned about how bringing her daughter into the training environment might affect the dynamic of her team. “I didn’t want to become a distraction,” she admitted.
However, these concerns were quickly alleviated as her training group embraced her daughter as a part of their team. “My daughter is like a team mascot at the moment! I take her to sessions; my training group have been very supportive. I think it has given the rest of the team a little bit of a lift as well.”
A crucial piece of advice Laura offers to other athlete mothers is the importance of open communication with your support team. Whether you’re planning to have children, are currently pregnant, or returning to sport after giving birth, it is vital to have honest conversations with those around you.
“Don’t be afraid to have conversations with your support team because I think the more it’s spoken about and planned for, the better,” Laura advises. “I’m really lucky that I’ve got very supportive friends and family, nothing ever felt awkward or off limits.”
Laura also shared how the UK Sport pregnancy guidance has been instrumental in her journey to being an athlete mother. She expressed gratitude for the support it provided her and her governing body, enabling her to continue reaching her full potential.
Laura emphasised that this guidance, shaped by the voices of fellow athlete mothers consulted by the BEAA, has empowered women to pursue their dreams without having to choose between a family and a sporting career. She encourages her peers to utilise it, saying: “UK sport has got a really good document with guidelines for pregnant athletes and that's been a really helpful framework.”
This guidance ensures athletes receive the support they need during pregnancy and as they return to training and competition, making it possible for mothers to continue excelling in their sport.
Laura also praised her fellow GB teammates for their outstanding performances in Paris, underscoring the positive impact of mothers in elite sport. In Paris, nine mothers secured eight medals for Team GB, while ParalympicsGB athletes like Sarah Storey achieved gold and Jodie Grinham competed while pregnant.
As Laura reflects on her journey, she stresses the importance of managing your expectations and being kind to yourself. “It’s important to manage your own expectations of what you’re going to be able to do... and not be too hard on yourself as well, because each day is different.”
Laura’s journey back into sport as a new mother illustrates the strength required to balance family and sport. Her story shows that with patience, open communication, and a supportive network, it is possible to navigate the challenges of motherhood while continuing to pursue athletic dreams.
