ABC reports that experts  including Ellen Casey, MD, physiatrist at HSS, and Pamela Geisel, MS, MBA, CSCS, PCES, RRCA Run Coach, exercise physiologist at HSS say more research is needed to understand how postpartum athletes should return to competitive sports.

The spotlight on elite athletes returning to competition after having a baby has contributed to increased resources for parents competing in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

"There's very little data out there about how postpartum women should progress, that's supported by science. It's mostly expert opinion," said Dr. Casey.

More research is needed to understand how postpartum athletes should return to competitive sports, and "we have a long ways to go," said Geisel. 

The USPOC launched the Women's Health Taskforce in 2022, which has focused on creating plans to support the women of Team USA. Dr. Casey is a part of this 16 person panel that has generated guidelines for postpartum return.

Advocacy for parent athletes resulted in the first ever Olympic village nursery. The nursery offers a childcare center, free diapers and wipes, and private spaces for breastfeeding.

Although this is a parent friendly Olympics,  Geisel said there is still much work to be done.

"We have a group of athletes that had to choose between becoming mothers or winning gold medals," in the past, Geisel said. "I'm excited about the future and that women no longer will have to choose one or the other."

Read the full article at abcnews.go.com.