In this podcast episode, host Stephanie Thompson speaks with Laura Walker, a specialist in mixed doubles currently on loan to Team Lawes at this week’s Canadian women’s championship.

Walker is also a specialist in balancing high-performance curling with pregnancy and motherhood.

Laura shares her top tips she gives to other curlers who are pregnant; how to develop a support system, when to seek out help, her thoughts on return-to-play and managing motherhood while competing.

This episode is not intended to replace the guidance of your own personal medical professional, and it is our opinion that this conversation is important for all humans to listen to, regardless of your personal plans for pregnancy. Please enter this episode with an open mind and avoid judgment on the opinions and ideas presented.

Watch this episode in the media player and enjoy embedded images—all to enhance your podcast experience.

Key points:

Top five tips for the curler who is pregnant:

1. Mindset:

• “Go in with a plan, but don’t expect anything to go as planned”

2. Recommend seeing a pelvic floor therapist earlier in the pregnancy; not just post-natal when things need recovering

• Do the work

3. Finding the right people: physical, mental & emotion

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

• Tip for support system (friends, family, teammates, coaches): Don’t assume anything. Even if they don’t ask for help it doesn’t mean they don’t need it. Offer opportunities for reprieve and to be honest with you

5. Speak to self like you would speak to a friend

Other tips & thoughts:

• Return to curling -pressures and lack of support based on our systems (specifically points) in Canada

• There is a difference between being cleared for activity and the level of activity. Be mindful to take the time and seek out the supports to properly ‘rehab’ after pregnancy and giving birth

• Not just about the physical return but also mental and emotional return (sleep deprived, exhausted, hormones, priorities; timing of feeding, pumping, the pressure to play regularly)

• Permission to take time off/for yourself

• Mom life on the road (parent life)

o What to bring

o Introduce bottles early to test run if someone is watching baby

o Hotel rooms—research to ensure space for playpen, kitchen sink and counter for washing bottles, etc.

o Help—family, teammate, parents, hired, etc.

• Rachelle Brown “be where your feet are”

• Imagery and visualization is helpful throughout pregnancy and especially as part of your return-to-play plan