Student Athletes Facing Pregnancy

Athletes face lots of pressure. Pressure to be the best they can be on and off the field. With 80% of all student-athletes receiving an academic grant or need-based scholarship, there’s also financial pressure to stay in competition during college. 1

With this intense focus, sports participation can be an excellent way for students to stay engaged during college. In fact, between all three divisions, there is an average of 83% academic success rate for students involved in athletics. Pregnancy rates are also significantly reduced in athletes or their partners. It is estimated that 10-15% of female student-athletes and partners of male student-athletes are affected by pregnancy each year. 2 This is a significant decrease compared to the estimated 25% of the entire student population currently pregnant or parenting during college. 3

But what happens when there’s an unexpected pregnancy as a student-athlete? Can you still compete? Can you keep your scholarship? Will you have support from your college athletic department? 

The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) core purpose is “to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount.” With this in mind, the NCAA created the Model Pregnancy Policy to ensure that female or male student-athletes don’t have to face discrimination that would inhibit their physical/mental health or academic achievement.

Every NCAA college must adhere to the NCAA guidelines and policies. Even if a college doesn’t have a written pregnancy policy in its student-athlete handbook, the Model Pregnancy Policy in the NCAA Handbook still applies.

Pregnancy with Female Student-Athletes

For a female athlete, becoming pregnant brings up many overwhelming concerns:

• Can I still participate in my sport while pregnant?
• If I can’t play, do I lose my scholarship?
• Can I come back and play after being pregnant?
• What will my coach and teammates think?
• How will I handle school, sports, and a baby?
• Do I have medical care?

Can I participate in my sport during and after pregnancy?

As soon as you learn that you’re pregnant, we encourage you to share this with someone you trust and feel would provide support. It’s vital to discuss this with your coach and athletic trainer, as they should be informed of the physical changes occurring within your body. 

Pregnant student-athletes need monitoring during the early stages of pregnancy. During this time, a medical professional would be concerned with overheating, level of exertion, risk of injury, and pre-pregnancy health status. Even with some of these concerns, the NCAA supports that high athletic activity – with professional healthcare monitoring – is generally safe up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. An athlete can also start competing 6-8 weeks after delivery if she meets the training and medical guidelines.

How am I going to pay for the medical bills?

Title IX Regulations require institutions to treat pregnancy as they treat other temporary illnesses or injuries. Due to this, medical benefits and insurance must be equally available to pregnant student-athletes. In addition, some schools provide assistance with medical expenses related to pregnancy, regardless of athletic status.

Do I lose a year of playing?

According to NCAA bylaws, due to ‘hardship,’ a student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition, typically referred to as a ‘red-shirted’ year. In addition, a pregnant student who competed during, but did not complete the season, may be granted a hardship waiver.

Will I lose my scholarship(s)?

A pregnant student-athlete’s scholarship is protected from being reduced or withdrawn if you remain in good standing academically and don’t withdraw voluntarily. NCAA bylaws offer numerous ways of protecting scholarships once the letter of agreement has been signed. Just as a student who has suffered an injury or illness is allowed to keep receiving their award, a pregnant student-athlete’s scholarship is also protected. 

Pregnancy with Male Student-Athletes

Although a male student-athlete isn’t dealing with the physical body changes that occur with a pregnant female-athlete, the pregnancy can still affect his life. Pressure caused by trying to juggle medical appointments, support for his partner, academics, athletics, and possible parenting can affect academic and athletic performance.

Some concerns may be:

• Can I take a year off to help my partner?
• If I can’t play, do I lose my scholarship?
• Can I come back and play after taking a year off?
• What will my coach and teammates think?
• How will I handle school, sports, and a baby?
• Will my partner have medical care?

Most college athletes are used to encountering the unexpected within their sport. You train to prepare for those challenges and learn to face them head-on. Most of us don’t feel as equipped when facing an unexpected pregnancy. If you suspect that you or your partner is pregnant, your first step should be to confirm the pregnancy. Collage provides free pregnancy testing as well as limited OB ultrasounds. These medical services can get you started by providing important information. We’d love to help you along on your journey so give us a call.