Physical challenges are not the only ones athlete-moms face when trying to return to their sport. A new survey reveals a host of mental ones too. As Serena Williams’ frustration in the U.S. Open Final boiled over, she smashed her tennis racket on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It had become clear to her that, thanks in part to her play but mostly to a series of controversial penalties by chair umpire Carlos Ramos, she would not be claiming her 24th Grand Slam title. To some observers, Williams’ behavior seemed egregious. But female athletes who are also mothers knew Williams’ distress was about more than this penalty, more than this match. It was about everything she had gone through to get here. After giving birth in September 2017, Williams experienced post-delivery complications, including a pulmonary embolism and an abdominal hematoma. Returning home after a series of surgeries, she developed postpartum depression. Williams told Vogue magazine she was unable to get out of bed for six weeks. And according to a study conducted by espnW, 32 percent of 37 athlete-moms reported experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression. That's far higher than the global average of 13 percent, according to the World Health Organization. |