Following enquiries from two leagues last season over women playing softball while pregnant, the BSF commissioned its then Administrator, Vicky Hall, who works professionally in the field of health and safety, to prepare a report examining the issues.
This report was made available to those who attended the BSF AGM in February, and was discussed at the meeting.
In summary, the report suggests that softball participants who are pregnant – for example, players, coaches and umpires – may have some increased risk or may be susceptible to additional risks of injury from softball activities.
Risks will vary according to individual circumstances – for example, the level and position played, the fitness of the woman concerned and existing medical conditions.
However, in general, the risk of traumatic injury to a mother or her unborn child during sport or physical activity is low. Serious abdominal injuries of the kind that may compromise a mother or her unborn child are rare. The stage of pregnancy is an important factor in determining whether and how long pregnant women should continue to participate in sport. In the first 12 weeks, the unborn child is contained within its mother’s pelvis and so is protected from injury by the skeletal structure of its mother’s body. As pregnancy continues, the unborn child moves higher in its mother’s body and becomes more susceptible to injury from a blow or other impact.
With regard to the pregnant woman, she may be more vulnerable to falls because the growing baby causes a shift in her centre of gravity, which can affect her balance and co-ordination in later months. Also, hormonal changes may result in ligament and joint laxity, making women vulnerable to injuries or falls.
The full report on women playing while pregnant can be found here.
The BSF advises that participants should consult with and follow the advice of a relevant medical professional concerning whether it is safe for her and her unborn child to continue to participate and/or for how long she should continue to participate. The local GP or medical professional can provide advice based on the expectant mother’s individual health and pregnancy.
Individual leagues can consider the issues around women participating in softball while pregnant and, if they wish, set rules as appropriate for their teams.