Chelsea Football Club has long prided itself on being a trailblazer, and its latest initiative proves that reputation extends far beyond the pitch. The club has become the first team in the Women's Super League to roll out a comprehensive fertility and maternity programme, giving its players the freedom to pursue parenthood on their own terms while still competing at the highest level. This groundbreaking policy builds on earlier innovations – such as the introduction of menstrual‑cycle tracking in February 2020 under manager Emma Hayes – and represents a significant step forward for women’s health in elite sport. The new scheme is delivered in partnership with Fertility Plus, one of London’s most respected fertility clinics.
A dedicated fund has been created that all squad members can access for a range of reproductive‑health services, including egg freezing, in‑vitro fertilisation, routine smear tests, contraception, and specialist counselling. Workshops and educational sessions are also part of the package, ensuring players receive the information they need to make informed decisions about their bodies. Importantly, participation is entirely voluntary; the club simply provides the resources and support structures, leaving each athlete to decide how, when, and whether to use them.
The maternity component of the policy is equally robust. It offers personalised support throughout pregnancy and the post‑natal recovery period, financial assistance for a partner or nanny to travel to away fixtures for up to a year after a player returns, enhanced adoption and parental‑leave provisions, wage protection, and subsidised childcare.
In the words of head coach Sonia Bompastor, who discussed the programme exclusively with Sky Sports, "We want to be a club that equips players with knowledge and options so they never have to choose between a professional career and becoming a mother. Every individual’s journey is different, and our role is to provide the support that makes both paths viable." Former goalkeeper and current commercial manager Carly Telford has been instrumental in shaping the collaboration with Fertility Plus.
She explained that the aim was to find a partner that understood athletes as both sportspeople and women, offering a holistic suite of services that goes beyond simple egg‑freezing options. "We wanted a clinic that could address hormones, endometriosis, cycle tracking, and comprehensive testing – essentially an all‑encompassing approach to female health," Telford said.
She emphasised that the ultimate decision about how to use these resources rests with each player, and that the club’s role is to create an environment where those choices feel safe and supported. Bompastor’s personal experience adds weight to the initiative. She and her partner, Chelsea assistant coach Camille Abily, have four children, and Bompastor recalls having limited options when she was a player. "At the time, I felt I had to end my playing career earlier than I wanted in order to become a mother," she reflected.
"There were countless questions about pregnancy, post‑natal recovery, and how to balance elite sport with caring for a child. The knowledge and support available then were minimal." Today, Bompastor is proud to lead a club that can offer those very resources to its current squad. She believes that providing education, open dialogue, and tangible assistance will empower players to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. While no Chelsea player has publicly announced plans to use the new services yet – a matter the club respects as a private decision – feedback from the squad has been overwhelmingly positive.
Telford noted that many players expressed enthusiasm and relief, saying they felt "comforted" knowing the club had taken proactive steps to address their reproductive health. Chelsea is not entirely new to navigating pregnancy and motherhood within its ranks.
Midfielder Melanie Leupolz gave birth in 2022 and returned to first‑team action, while Zecira Musovic also welcomed a child after a stint back in Sweden in 2025. These examples demonstrate that with the right support, athletes can resume high‑level competition after becoming mothers. The club’s new policy aims to make such transitions smoother and more predictable for future players.
The programme also considers the needs of older squad members, many of whom may be thinking about fertility and family planning as they approach the latter stages of their careers. Former captain Millie Bright, who announced her pregnancy after retiring, exemplifies the demographic that could benefit from early, confidential guidance.
Telford hopes that by normalising conversations around fertility, the club will help women in their thirties and beyond feel less compelled to put family aspirations on hold. Beyond the immediate benefits to Chelsea’s players, the initiative has broader ambitions. Telford envisions the club’s high profile helping to shift attitudes across the sport and beyond, encouraging other football organisations, governing bodies, and even businesses to reconsider how they support women’s health.
"We have a massive platform," she said. "If we can inspire other clubs and sports to adopt similar policies, we’ll be contributing to a cultural change that values women’s bodies and choices at every level." The dual focus on fertility and maternity care reflects a growing recognition that reproductive health is integral to an athlete’s overall wellbeing. By offering a seamless blend of medical support, financial assistance, and educational resources, Chelsea aims to remove the false dichotomy between professional ambition and personal life.
As Bompastor summed up, "Being a mother and a top‑level footballer are not mutually exclusive. With the right structures in place, women can excel in both roles and thrive." In summary, Chelsea’s pioneering fertility and maternity policy sets a new benchmark for the Women's Super League and for women's sport globally. It provides players with a suite of services ranging from egg freezing and IVF to personalised pregnancy care and post‑natal support, all underpinned by a philosophy of choice and empowerment.
While the full impact of the programme will unfold over time, its existence alone signals a decisive shift toward a more inclusive, health‑focused future for female athletes.