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Exploring IVF Journeys: A New Narrative Among Female Athletes
In 2021, West Ham captain Katrina Gorry, while playing for Avaldsnes in Norway, took a significant step towards motherhood by visiting an IVF clinic, a decision she kept private from friends and family. Shortly after selecting a sperm donor and undergoing the IVF process, she discovered she was pregnant.
“I aimed to keep my thoughts focused and not overthink the situation,” Gorry recounted during her appearance on Sky Sports News‘ podcast, Real Talk. Interestingly, the day she decided to proceed with IVF, she unexpectedly got her period early, prompting a rush of emotions.
As a single woman, Gorry opted not to disclose her intentions to anyone prior to starting her IVF journey, feeling that outside opinions might influence her decision. “When I consulted with the doctor, he mentioned we could begin right away. It felt as if it was meant to unfold this way,” she reflected.
Today, Gorry is engaged to Swedish footballer Clara Markstedt, and together they are raising their second child. Her journey alongside the increasing number of single women in the UK seeking IVF treatment—rising from 1,400 in 2012 to 4,800 by 2022—highlights shifts in societal perspectives on motherhood.
Motivated by a conversation with a life coach, Gorry decided to pursue motherhood fervently. “There was a void in my life that needed filling. I envisioned my future with a child, often dreaming about baby names and what family life could look like,” she shared.
Despite the rise in awareness and acceptance of lesbian couples having children, discussions around this topic remain limited in mainstream discourse. This was particularly evident in November 2024 when Gorry’s teammates, Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis, announced their pregnancies. Although their news was celebrated by many, they also encountered a wave of unacceptable homophobic backlash.
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor voiced strong support for Kerr and Mewis, condemning the negativity. “It’s astonishing to witness such reactions, especially in today’s world,” she stated, expressing her excitement for the new addition to their team.
Gorry expressed her hope that love would overshadow any negativity: “It shouldn’t matter who your parents are. Family happiness is paramount, and demonstrating love is what truly counts in the grand scheme.” She advocated for more visibility and acceptance of diverse family structures, believing it leads to a more inclusive world.
The Journey of IVF in Female Sports
Anita Asante, a former player for Arsenal, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, has her own story of motherhood. With a distinguished career—including winning 71 caps for England—Asante’s transition to parenthood has also been notable.
When Asante and her wife Beth Fisher, a former sports journalist and hockey player, decided to start a family, Asante was still an active player at Aston Villa. “Timing was crucial. We had to consider how my football commitments would align with this new chapter,” she explained.
Choosing shared motherhood, whereby Asante’s eggs would be used and carried by Fisher, necessitated some careful planning. Asante prepared for the egg retrieval process, which included several weeks of medication that would affect her physical readiness for training. “I had to weigh our plans against my ongoing football career,” she noted. “Eventually, we agreed it would be best to wait until I transitioned out of active play.”
After retiring, Asante took on a coaching role with Bristol City’s women’s team and embarked on the IVF path with Fisher. “The initial injections were a strange experience for me. My body was changing significantly, and tasks I once found easy felt more strenuous,” she elaborated.
The couple was determined to have a baby that reflected their mixed heritage, with Asante contributing her Ghanaian roots. After selecting a sperm donor from the European Sperm Bank, they found a connection with the profile, aided by personal insights such as recorded messages and childhood photos of the donor.
Remarkably, they achieved pregnancy on their first IVF attempt, marking a fulfilling start to their family journey.
Both Gorry and Asante shared their stories on the Real Talk podcast, hosted by Miriam Walker-Khan. The episode also included insight from Laura-Rose Thorogood, a lesbian mother of four and CEO of LGBT Mummies, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to become parents.
Explore the Real Talk podcast on Sky Sports News for deeper conversations around this transformative topic.
Source
www.skysports.com