body of work

mothers or athletes or women

about this series

body of work is a compilation of interviews exploring the experiences of current and former WNBL athletes (both birthing mothers and non-birthing mothers) who returned to playing elite sport after having a baby.

It consists of nineteen questions that were, given the intimacy of the topic, potentially confronting to answer. A sincere thank you to each of the athletes for their generosity, vulnerability and, ultimately, an enduring diplomacy in their responses.

There often seems to be secrecy and shame wrapped into motherhood which can be silencing for many women. Isolation is combatted by sharing knowledge — and knowledge is sometimes just another word for lived experiences, as unique as they may be — so every detail each mother has been willing to offer is deeply valuable.

Their emotional labour in sharing their perspective should not be taken for granted.

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There are few human events as ancient or consequential as giving birth, or becoming a mother.

It is ironic the phenomenon continues to be passively denigrated: Women have done it before you. They’ll do it after you. You’re not enduring anything new. 

The pervasive sentiments are not just reductive, they are incorrect. For every similarity, there are differences.

Pregnancy or labour or birth or postpartum or motherhood is honourable or tiring or excruciating or easy or miraculous or accidental or fun or depressing or wondrous and magical or gross and lonely or crowded or connecting or different combinations or all of them or none. 

Anyone who gives birth, or becomes a parent, should be able to talk about their own experiences safely: without dismissal, judgement and critique. Women specifically deserve to be able to share their stories and have those stories received with respect.  

PART ONE:

Annie La Fleur, Alexandra Bunton, Mikaela Dombkins, Karen Blicavs, Micaela Cocks, Kayla Steindl, and Kate Tominac.

body of work: part one

PART TWO:

Mikhaela Donnelly, Rachael Sporn, Ash Karaitiana, Carley Ernst, Leeanne Grantham and Kelly Wilson.

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beyond borders

It may feel like a jarring way to conclude an introduction to body of work, but there have been at least 24,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza within three months — an average of over 250 people per day, over a quarter of them children.

The suffering continues, and Gaza hospitals are being overrun with pregnant women and newborns.¹ UN agencies have warned women and babies are bearing the brunt of Israel’s assault.

Consider educating yourself and loved ones through available resources, such as the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network or Free Palestine Melbourne. Consider signing and sharing the Open Letter by Sportspeople demanding our government call for a permanent ceasefire. Consider writing to your local politician, or signing other petitions. Consider donating. Consider boycotting brands that are funding a genocide. Consider raising awareness on social media, or finding other ways to advocate. Integrate compassion and activism into your daily life.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to deliver, and raise, their baby safely.

1. World Health Organisation: women and newborns bearing brunt of Gaza conflict

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Saraid Taylor trains and writes on sacred Wurundjeri country. She acknowledges Elders, past and present, and extends that respect to all First Nations peoples around the world. Ten percent of profit made from bysaraidtaylor subscriptions will be donated to Sisters Inside.

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