The Intersection of Motherhood and Pro Sports: UConn Legend Breanna Stewart Announces Second Pregnancy

Breanna Stewart: A Beacon of Motherhood in Pro Sports

Two-time WNBA champion, MVP, and Olympic gold medalist Breanna Stewart is blazing a trail in women’s basketball, and now, in motherhood as well. Her recent announcement of expecting a second child with her wife, Marta Xargay, is yet another reminder of the challenges that female pro athletes face while starting a family.

Motherhood and Pro Sports: The Dilemma

The world of sports has long been dominated by men, and though women have made a significant impact in recent years, there are still many hurdles they have to overcome. One such obstacle is the decision to start a family during their peak years of sports career.

Childbearing requires time away from the game, and for the vast majority of female athletes, this leaves them with the daunting task of rebuilding their sports career after coming back from maternity leave. This dilemma has been faced by several women across different sports, like Serena Williams in tennis, Alysia Montaño in track and field, and Allyson Felix in sprinting.

Breanna Stewart’s Journey

Stewart, a former UConn women’s basketball all-star, rushed back from the Rio Olympics in 2016 to be present for the birth of her daughter, Ruby, who was born through a surrogate in August 2021. In 2020, she led the Seattle Storm to their second WNBA championship in three years while playing in the bubble while away from her family.

Now, she is expecting another child, and the fact that she and her wife are both professional basketball players only adds to the challenging nature of their situation. But Stewart has never been one to back down from a challenge. Rather, she has used her platform to push for better maternity policies in pro sports, especially the WNBA.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Stewart shared her views on motherhood and pro sports; “It’s worth it to have a child, or children, in my life,” she said. “It’s worth it to come back and play at the highest level.”

Conclusion

Breanna Stewart’s journey is a testament to the fact that women can have it all, but it takes strength, determination, and a supportive environment. She has been fortunate enough to have all three and has embraced her role as a mother while continuing to dominate the women’s basketball world.

But there is still much work to be done in creating a more equitable system for female athletes who choose to have children while competing at the highest level. The WNBA has taken steps to improve their maternity policy, but there is still a long way to go.

Breanna Stewart’s story serves as an inspiration to female athletes and shows that motherhood should not be a hindrance to pursuing one’s dreams, but rather, it’s an opportunity to set a new standard for women’s sports.