From childbirth to Commonwealth Games in four months

From childbirth to Commonwealth Games in four monthsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rebecca Redfern was awarded an MBE for services to young people and the community in Worcestershire in 2024ByChris HarbyBBC Sport, West MidlandsPublished1 hour agoPara-swimmer Rebecca Redfern has admitted her Commonwealth Games training has been “a little unconventional” as she heads to Glasgow just four months after childbirth.The 26-year-old, who has a condition which limits peripheral vision, will line up in the 50m freestyle in Glasgow, having given birth to a baby girl in March.Many sportswomen face an agonising choice – to put their sporting career on pause to have children, or even put their family plans on hold.But for Redfern, who also has a six-year-old son, the decision was very clear – she wanted to do both.”For me it was important to have kids quite young because my vision is going to deteriorate and I could go blind one day, and I didn’t want the worry that I’m not going to see my kids grow up,” she told BBC Hereford and Worcester. “That was my biggest fear.”So to balance being able to have my kids and still being an elite athlete is an incredible opportunity and I didn’t want to compromise on either of them.”‘I’ve surprised myself’With her training time cut short, Redfern will race over 50m rather than her preferred 100m distance – just as she did at Birmingham four years ago.Despite the physical challenges all mums face after childbirth, the 2024 Paralympic gold medallist has adjusted quickly to life back in the pool.”I’ve not been able to build up the full 100 yet so it’s just sticking with the 50 and sticking with the speed,” she explained.”I’ve surprised myself actually. I thought I might just be bumbling along, but I’ve actually been able to pick up a lot of speed.”In the training I’ve been doing I work closely with the physios to make sure I’m not overdoing it and it all seems to be falling into place.”The switch to hold the Games in Glasgow after the Australian state of Victoria’s withdrawal means Redfern will have childcare close at hand.”I’m still breastfeeding, so the team has been really supportive and put me up in a hotel so I can have the little one with me,” she mentioned.”Australia would have been absolutely incredible but having it a little bit closer to home has worked out really nicely for me.”Gold medal Paralympian gets freedom of hometown