Objectives Elite athletes are more commonly returning to sport after pregnancy. Whilst research and policies to support athletes after pregnancy are increasing, understanding the lived experiences of United Kingdom (UK) elite athletes as they return to sport remains limited. This study aimed to examine the experiences and perspectives of UK elite athletes from a range of sports on the postpartum period and the return to sport. Design A descriptive qualitative approach utilising semi-structured interviews. Methods Online interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams with elite athletes living in the UK, who trained and/or competed at the highest level of their sport prior to and/or during pregnancy. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Eleven athletes participated in the study. Four key themes were generated: (1) Navigating Mother-Athlete Identity, (2) Preparation to Return to Sport, (3) Personal Support and Inspiration, and (4) Systemic Support. Findings showed that UK athletes must navigate both identity shifts and practical challenges in their return to sport postpartum. Observing other female athletes make this transition provided encouragement to the participants. Support from the athlete's immediate community and broader sporting organisations played a critical role. Access to specific supports and resources, such as pragmatic return-to-sport timelines, nutritional guidance, and maternity leave policies that safeguarded funding, positively impacted the postpartum return to sport. Conclusions High-quality research to continue to inform guidelines for elite athletes returning to sport and developing maternity leave policies specific for all athletes in the UK need to be prioritised. This is to ensure that athletes are properly supported during postpartum and can resume their careers. Practical implications • There is a need for specific postpartum mental well-being supports to help athletes navigate the transition to motherhood and integrate this with their athlete identity within a UK sporting system. • UK athletes should have access to specialist nutrition advice which can account for postpartum needs including breastfeeding and energy intake requirements prior to and following the return to sport. This could involve the development of specialist continuing professional development courses for nutrition and dietetic professionals. • Further high-quality research focused on the postpartum return to sport, especially during the first six weeks where the recommendation has been not to exercise, may need to be tailored for elite athletes. • The establishment of national level maternity leave policies for all elite athletes within the UK sporting system is needed to ensure equitable access to maternity supports comparable to those available to other pregnant individuals.
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