FIFPRO has launched a 48-page guide to help professional footballers, as well as their families, team staff and other football stakeholders, better understand and manage pregnancy and the phase after childbirth.The Postpartum Return to Play Guide was developed by a task force of professional women players who have experienced pregnancy and childbirth during their careers.KEFWA President James Situma urges Kenyan clubs to honor contracts and embrace better management practicesThe players’ experiences have been supported by existing scientific literature and a medical expert group whose members specialise in areas that are most relevant to the postpartum journey.The FIFA Maternity Regulations, which were introduced in January 2021 after pressure from FIFPRO, have been in place to protect the rights of players who become pregnant during their careers.While players worldwide are entitled to these maternity protections, many say guidance is needed for both them and the clubs and national teams working with them on how to best manage pregnancy before taking maternity leave (prepartum), what to expect after childbirth (postpartum), and how to best prepare for their return to football.##NAJAVA_MECA_8298041##”For such a varied and complex subject matter, there is very little accessible guidance for players to follow – an issue that we hope this guide can begin to remedy,” said Dr Alex Culvin, FIFPRO Director of Policy and Strategic Relations for Women’s Football.For most professional players, their prime performance years will overlap significantly with their peak window of fertility. As a result, players will continue to seek to start a family during their playing careers with the desire to then return to their work.Faith Kipyegon to mark track return in Rome Diamond League
