Playing football and being a mum - the 'two dreams' for Man Utd's Bizet
'The baby may come out with a six-pack'
Celin Bizet Donnum has two dreams: to play professional football and to start a family. The first has been realized for the Manchester United winger, while the second is soon to be fulfilled.
If you have two dreams, you can live both of them at the same time,Bizet Donnum told the BBC's Women's Football Weekly podcast.
The Norway international announced in December that she and her husband Aron Bizet Donnum, also a professional footballer, are expecting their first child in 2026.
At 24 years old and in the prime of her playing career, Bizet Donnum described it as a "natural thing" to have a baby while still playing professionally.
It was a hard thing to actually get pregnant and not be in the team. Missing out the whole season - it's very scary,she said.
But for me, it was even more scary to not have the baby in my career.
Bizet Donnum spoke with former England striker Ellen White, who, like many sportswomen, waited until retirement to start a family.
When I was playing, a lot of players older than me waited until they retired - similar to what I did,White said.
I don't know if it was because of security, not knowing if you are going to feel that support from your club or judgement or even if you are going to feel ready to come back.
There's so many tournaments that at times you feel like you're having to sacrifice something. It felt like maybe one sacrifice was not having a baby while playing.
Mother’s Day Special with Ellen White and Celin Bizet Dønnum
Earlier in March, Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns, aged 24, announced she was expecting her first child. Meanwhile, Bizet Donnum's Manchester United teammate Hannah Blundell, currently on loan at Everton, returned to football in November just seven months after giving birth.
Simone Magill, a striker for WSL 2 promotion contenders Birmingham City, is also expecting her first child in May. However, Bizet Donnum noted that such cases remain uncommon.
It's still very rare to have a baby when you are a footballer,she said.
Some people ask if I'm going to quit football and I'm like, 'What?'. That was not in my mind for a second. Of course I will come back to football - that's my motivation.
It's so nice to see other people do it as well and not be scared of it.
What are the maternity guidelines in women's football?
Celin Bizet Donnum continues to train daily with Manchester United.
In 2024, FIFA introduced updated regulations to protect female footballers and coaches during and after pregnancy. These include a minimum of 14 weeks' maternity leave on full pay, at least eight weeks' paid adoption leave if the child is under two years old, and a minimum of eight weeks' fully paid family leave for female players or coaches other than the biological mother.
Players returning from such leave may be registered outside the usual registration periods. Clubs are permitted to temporarily replace players during maternity, adoption, or family leave regardless of timing within the calendar year. Additionally, clubs are requested to provide facilities for mothers to breastfeed or express milk upon returning to work.
These regulations apply across the Women's Super League (WSL), which has been fully professional since 2018. The league states that mechanisms are in place to support players who choose to start families during their careers.
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FIFA's updated maternity protocols for players and coaches have prompted inquiries into how WSL clubs implement these rules.
contacted all WSL clubs regarding their maternity provisions.
Manchester United emphasized a "culture change" where players have the resources to make informed decisions about family planning during their careers.
The club highlighted additional measures beyond regulations, including personalized plans addressing nutrition, psycho-social wellbeing, physiotherapy, and sleep, which help "break down barriers" for expectant mothers.
Bizet Donnum praised Manchester United for their support, noting she has been given "so much freedom" to spend time with her husband, who plays and lives in Toulouse, France.
However, she was surprised by the importance of pelvic floor physiotherapy.
I didn't have a clue about pelvic floor! But then when I got pregnant, the doctor at Manchester United introduced me and [the physio] has been game-changing for me.
Arsenal and West Ham also reported offering bespoke support for pregnant players, including Sweden international Amanda Ilestedt at Arsenal and Katrina Gorry among others at West Ham. Tottenham and Brighton stated their maternity policies comply with WSL, FIFA, and FIFPro guidance.
For Bizet Donnum, alongside the joy of becoming a mother this year, she is eagerly anticipating her return to football.
I am so excited to come back,she said.
It's hard when I'm watching the games and wishing I played.
But then it's one season I am missing. After my career, will I look back and think: 'Damn, I didn't play that season' or will I just be happy that I've had a kid?
Visit the Women's Football Weekly feed to hear the full conversation between Ellen White and Celin Bizet Donnum, along with insights and analysis from across the Women's Super League and beyond.
Additionally, an extended version of the interview aired on Thursday, 26 March, is available on BBC .
