Introduction

The International Cricket Council has introduced its Return to Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines, a framework designed to support female cricketers through pregnancy, childbirth, and their return to international competition. The guidelines are intended for use by Science and Medicine staff across ICC Member boards and provide a structured approach to the practical, physical, and psychological considerations involved in a player’s journey back to the sport after having a child.

Background to the Return to Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines

The document notes that traditionally, female athletes have often delayed motherhood until after their sporting career. However, with the increased professionalism of women’s cricket, expanding career opportunities, and a shift in sports policies, players are increasingly choosing to start a family and train through pregnancy with the aim of returning to perform after giving birth. The Return to Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines aim to outline an approach for Science and Medicine staff to support this athletic return, while also providing Member boards with a framework to develop their own pregnancy and return-to-play policies, in line with their local legislation. The guidelines have been prepared in a general format so that they can be used by all ICC Members, subject to any applicable local legislation or regulations in the relevant cricket-playing country.

Also Read: IShowSpeed Incident Triggers FIFA Racism Investigation

Considerations When Designing a Pregnancy Policy

The guidelines set out three core principles for Member boards designing their own pregnancy policies. First, the decision to announce a pregnancy is always at the discretion of the mother. Second, there should be no mandate from the cricket board for a player to take a pregnancy test. Third, local labour laws should be adhered to in the development of any policy.

The document also recommends that Member boards identify a case manager, usually a doctor or physiotherapist, as the primary point of contact to support a player’s return to play. All communication is to remain player-focused and flexible, with the priority of the mother and baby central to all decision-making. The recommended Care Team includes an internal cricket team comprising a Cricket Medical Officer, Physiotherapist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Dietician, Psychologist, Player Development Coach, and Coach, alongside an external treating team consisting of an obstetrician or treating doctor, a Women’s Health Physiotherapist, and family, partner, or support persons.

Exercise During Pregnancy Under the Guidelines

According to the guidelines, exercise during pregnancy is strongly recommended and can be performed safely without risk to the mother or baby, though the document notes there is limited evidence on how to design exercise programs specifically for elite players, and there is no known upper safe limit to exercise duration, intensity, or type. It states that there are a number of relative and absolute contraindications to exercise during pregnancy, and that the player must discuss her individual medical circumstances with her treating doctor to ensure safety is prioritised.

The guidelines recommend that players cease competing at the end of their first trimester, while clarifying that there is no set gestational age at which a player must stop competing; this decision should be made by the player, considering individualised advice from the treating obstetrician, doctor, and cricket medical team. Considerations listed include trauma to the foetus from contact with the ball, collision, or contact with the ground; safety of travel including infectious disease risk, clot prophylaxis, and extreme heat; modification of training load based on symptoms; musculoskeletal complications including ligament laxity and shifts in centre of gravity; safety of medications including WADA compliance; and Women’s Health physiotherapist referral with pelvic floor assessment.

Also watch: Competition Law in Sports ft. Prof. Lovely Dasgupta

The 6 Rs Framework for Return to Play

A central feature of the Return to Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines is what the document terms “The 6 Rs” — a suggested framework for all relevant stakeholders in the return-to-play process. The first stage, Ready (0-6 weeks), focuses on healing and recovery post-birth, including early pelvic floor activation and psychological support, alongside gradually increasing exercise tolerance starting with gentle walking. The second stage, Review (6-8 weeks), involves external reviews by an obstetrician or GP and a Women’s Health physio, as well as internal reviews by the cricket doctor, physio, strength and conditioning staff, psychologist, and dietician, along with introduction of non-ballistic aerobic activity and a review of sports bra fit.

The third stage, Restore (8-16 weeks), involves a graduated return-to-run program in collaboration with medical staff, while recognising barriers such as fatigue, childcare limitations, and player mental health. The fourth stage, Recondition (12-16 weeks+), focuses on graded exposure to sports-specific training load to optimise performance while accounting for injury risk. The fifth stage is Return, where the player returns to play, followed by the sixth stage, Refine, which involves ongoing review of social, sporting, and practical training or travel requirements, along with monitoring of musculoskeletal and pelvic floor issues and a whole-system approach to sleep, recovery, and energy availability.

Also watch: Webinar on What is Doping in Sports Ft. Mr. Parth Goswami 

Practical Supports for Consideration

The guidelines also list six categories of practical support for Member boards to consider: a flexible sport environment that recognises parental responsibilities in the same context as the workplace; continued access to facilities including baby-friendly amenities and breastfeeding spaces; ongoing access to services including high-performance staff and medical teams; alternative employment opportunities such as coaching, analysis, or administration for players unable to compete; childcare access including financial and practical assistance; and travel support to facilitate designated caregivers and children travelling with the player, including flights, visas, and financial subsidies.

The Return to Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines close with a set of resources for players and support staff, including material from the ECB, UKSI, AIS, the Active Pregnancy Foundation, and IOC guidance on exercise and pregnancy in recreational and elite athletes.

Read the Guidelines of ICC: Return to Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines