Crystal Palace midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet has been training with her team seven months into her pregnancy. The 34-year-old Belgian international is expecting her first child in September.
Vanhaevermaet, who joined Crystal Palace last summer and helped them achieve promotion to the Women's Super League (WSL), was pictured with her baby bump during a training session. The club shared photos of her on social media, noting she was 'putting in the work' ahead of the new season. She also demonstrated her ball control skills, performing keepy-uppies in a video clip.
Vanhaevermaet's partner is physiotherapist Thomas De Jonghe. She is not the only player in the squad to be experiencing new motherhood; teammate Josie Green, a Wales international, recently welcomed a daughter.
Vanhaevermaet's commitment to training during pregnancy follows precedents set by other athletes. U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan trained seven months pregnant in 2020, and Norwegian runner Ingrid Kristiansen won the Houston Marathon unknowingly five months pregnant.
NHS guidance suggests that pregnant women can maintain their normal physical activity as long as they feel comfortable. The guidance states that exercise is generally not dangerous for the baby and may reduce problems during pregnancy and labor. However, it advises against exhaustion and recommends consulting a maternity team if unsure. A general rule of thumb is to be able to hold a conversation while exercising. Participating in football while pregnant carries risks, including falls and being struck by a ball, due to changes in balance and joint stability.
