Maternity in Spanish elite sportswomen: a qualitative study

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of maternity among Spanish elite sportswomen. Twenty (n=20) Spanish elite were included. A qualitative analysis was conducted. Data were collected using in-depth personal interviews, investigator’s field notes and extracts from the participants’ personal letters. Identified themes included: a) A new identity, with 2 sub-themes: “Mother role”, and “Being visible”, b) Going back to sport, with 3 subthemes: “Guilt appears”, “Justifying going back to sport” and “Rediscovering sport”; and, c) Reaching a goal, with 2 subthemes: “Balancing mother-sportswoman” and “The challenge of maternity”. Understanding the meaning of maternity for elite Spanish sportswomen might help gain deeper insight into their expectations and develop training systems focused on elite sports women after pregnancy.