babies
The question of when to start a family is not easy for any woman, but what about when you’re an athlete at the top of your game and the peak of your (sometimes short) career?
And now that one of the biggest events of your life is over – what next?
Research has suggested that after big life events and personal feats, we strive and yearn to settle down and start a family, as people tend to put these off whilst focusing on the event in hand.
A spokesperson for Cussons Mum & Me says: “After winning gold, many athletes may feel a bit of an anti-climax, and feel a growing sense of ‘what next’?
"Whether they are thinking about going on to train for that next big sporting event or whether they are thinking about retiring, after years of intense training, dedication and discipline, some may see this as the perfect time to think about starting a family.”
The ones to watch…
While the country is still recovering from Olympics euphoria, Cussons Mum & Me predict that these athletes could be the next to join the baby club:
Zara Phillips
After marrying fellow sports star, Mike Tindall in 2011, Zara has been dedicated to her horse-riding, for which she won silver in London 2012. The pair, however, has hinted previously that they would like to give the Queen another great-grandchild, so perhaps now the Olympics is over, they’ll have plenty of time to try. Who knows, perhaps they’ll beat William and Kate in the royal baby race this year!
Jessica Ennis
Jessica Ennis has been engaged to her long-term partner Andy Hill since Christmas 2010. We’re not thinking that she will retire any time soon – but could having a baby help her come back in even better shape? There is talk in the sporting world that women can become much stronger after they have had a child - as carrying a baby can cause increase in muscle strength and endurance. Watch out world, Jessica Ennis could be back stronger and fitter than ever in time for Rio 2016!
Victoria Pendleton
The 31-year-old two-times Olympic gold medalist cyclist is engaged and has now retired. She is apparently looking forward to getting married and doing ‘normal stuff’. Could she be thinking about starting a family with her fiancé coach, Scott Gardner? The stunning olympian is getting her dancing shoes on for the new season of Strictly Come Dancing - maybe we'll hear good news of a little one in the near future!
Christine Ohuruogu
Christine Ohuruogu is one of eight children and has said that she would: “Love to have a big family one day.” She’s not currently with anyone special, but who knows what’s around the corner for the silver medal winning star?
A number of athletes in this year’s London Olympics are already mums – including Kristina (Tina) Cook, the British three-day eventing rider who won silver for Team GB. She has two children, Isobel who was born in 2005, and Harry, born in 2007.
Cussons Mum & Me says: “It’s really inspiring that we have Olympians who are also mums. It’s a fact of today that many mums have to return to work after having a baby – and there’s certainly no maternity leave as an athlete.
"Having a baby is an amazing experience, but even athletes whose training and dedication is second to none, say that all those years of training are not as hard as being a mum can be.”
So, watch this space and prepare to hedge your bets to see who will win gold in the Olympic baby race.
FemaleFirst @FemaleFirst_UK
Shabana Adam