A) "I think it is too dangerous for a pregnant woman to keep participating in sport. She should be taking it easy during her pregnancy."

This is a generalised statement that is not based on current knowledge about pregnancy and participation in sport.

It is important that you seek up-to-date information on the benefits and risks of excercise during pregnancy.

Reseources:

Video presentation by Dr Elizabeth Clisby

Try a different response

B) "I think we should stop her playing so that we meet our duty of care requirements"

While banning a pregnant woman from participating in sport may meet your duty of care obligations it may contravene state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Sports must seek to balance both of these requirements.

Resources:

Rights and Responsibilities

Try a different response

C) "Kylie needs to make this decision."

As the pregnancy progresses, most women will voluntarily cut down on their level of training or competition.

Women should:

• Consult with medical advisers
• make themselves aware of the facts about prgnancy in sport, and
• ensure that they make informed decisions about participating.

Sporting organisations and their personnel should be aware of the risks and realities, and take reasonable steps to ensure the saftey of players and their unborn children.

Resources:

Rights and Responsibilities

Continue to Scene 2

A) "Kyle we'd like you to continue playing but we're concerned about potential risks."

The response lets Kylie know that you support her in wanting to continue participating but that you do have responsibilities.

It is an open answer that indicates you are willing to discuss the matter further.

You should not make any judgement about her safety but contact your state sport or national sporting organisation to see if they have policies and guidelines to assist you with this matter.

Resources:

Video presentation by Jan Stirling

Responding to the Issue: Some Guidelines

Continue to Scene 3

B) "Kylie you can play but you will need to sign a disclaimer form protecting us from any future liability."

If this is your first response, Kylie may become defensive because you are demanding she provide information before even understanding what the risks are in sport.

It is important to keep communication open to facilitate discussion about the issue.

Kylie may provide a legal disclaimer after further assessment of the matter and in the light of further information about risks, but she cannot sign a disclaimer on behalf of her unborn child.

Try a different response

C) "Kylie before you can continue playing we would like you to give us a signed doctor's certificate."

It is unlikely that any doctor will sign a medical certificate for sport.

If this is your first response it may create a situation where Kylie becomes defensive because you are demanding information that is personal and private.

It is important to keep communication open to facilitate discussion about the issue.

Consider asking Kylie to consult with her doctor about continuing to play and when to stop.

Resources:

Responding to the Issue: Some Guidelines

Video presentation by Jan Stirling

Try a different response

A) "Yes, we need to ask women to tell us when they are pregnant so we are better prepared."

A woman does not have to tell a sporting organisation that she is pregnant.

Sports should make clear the risks of their sport to all members including those who are pregnant.

Organisations can ask all participants to provide information concerning their health (including a pregnancy) that may be important to a treating doctor should an accident occur.

However, participants are not obliged to provide this information.

Try a different response

B) "Yes, we had better provide some advice to pregnant members about the risks to their health if they continue to participate."

Sports organisations could provide pregnant members with general information on the potential risk for injury within their sport.

This should come from reputable sources such as Sports Medicine Australia who have developed guidelines that catagorise sports according to the level of safety for the pregnant athlete.

Sporting organisations should refrain from providing specific medical advice to a individual member.

Resources:

Key Considerations for Administrators in Risk Management

Rights and Responsibilities

Try a different response

C) "Yes, we really need to consider this matter further at our management committee."

This is a good place to start.

You have now identified some gaps in your sport's policies and procedures.

Your club should request that the state sporting organisation develop information to assist your sport with this issue.

Resources:

Video presentation by Jan Stirling

Responding to the Issue: Some Guidelines

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