My biggest anxiety is about the birth... whether I’ll have to be alone for it
As she prepares to welcome a new baby, former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington tells ABI JACKSON about her hopes and fears and how she keeps the worries at bay
REFLECTING on lockdown Rebecca Adlington says with a laugh: “I can’t keep looking at screens. First lockdown, people were having four or five Zoom quizzes a week. ‘I can’t do another quiz! I can’t for my own mental health’.”
She is hugely grateful technology means we can stay in touch with loved ones though. “I really, really miss my family,” Rebecca, 31, says. “It’s been about balance,” staying in touch but not making it feel like a chore. Just checking in, because we all have good and bad days.”
It’s been a busy start to 2021 for Manchester-based Rebecca, who is expecting a baby boy with boyfriend Andy Parsons this month.
“Neither of us was furloughed, so Andy and I have been working the whole time, and lots of stuff was booked for January before maternity leave – and then schools closed,” says Rebecca, who has daughter Summer, five, with ex-husband Harry Needs. The former Olympic swimmer (she scooped four medals, including two golds, before retiring at 23 to focus on TV work and other projects) now keeps busy with her SwimStars and Training programmes, part of the Olympic-led Sporting House group. Pools closing has been “really difficult”, she says. “But we’ve run loads of content online and sent out packs, awards for kids to take part in, Saturday morning shake-ups and stuff to keep them active.” Here, Rebecca tells us about being pregnant in lockdown, finding calm in baking, and why balance is key...
How have you been finding homeschooling with Summer?
SUMMER’S only five, it would be very different if she was older – I don’t envy carers doing algebra and long equations! I’d struggle with that. It is really hard though. But Summer is ace, we read with her, do writing and spelling – and I can actually do her maths, so that’s fine!
Kids can teach us so much about being adaptable and resilient – is that something you’ve found?
OH gosh, totally. One thing changes in an adult’s life and you have a bit of a flap. It’s amazing how well kids have adapted.
If I’m having a day where I’m feeling a bit sad for myself and you’re just a bit annoyed about everything going on, it’s really nice – Summer just doesn’t question anything. She’s like, ‘Mummy, the virus’, and just cracks on. And that’s really good, a because I appreciate every family out there is going through a really tough time.
Have you missed swimming with pools being closed?
REALLY missing it. Summer has too. When pools re-opened, the first week we went three times, I was desperate to get back in.
Now I’m eight months pregnant, I probably wouldn’t be doing as much anyway, but Summer is really missing it and her friends.
How have you kept active?
WHEN I wasn’t so pregnant, I managed to stay on top of things, doing home workouts. There was so much online, it was brilliant.
I was going for runs, we taught Summer to ride a bike and were going for rides as a family. And I kept up the gym until before Christmas when they closed again. So far, in January I’ve really struggled; I’m finding the online stuff is not so catered to me in the third trimester, so I’ve just been trying to get out for walks. I’m at that stage where I get out of breath (my bump) is so massive.
You know what, lockdown’s back, I’m eight months pregnant, it feels like this was really the time to back off a bit and focus on getting ready, on my health, so that’s what I’ve been doing. Taking the dogs out, having some fresh air and seeing different surroundings.
There’s been a lot of anxiety for people going through pregnancy – how have you found it?
IT’S hard for everyone, hard for partners too – I feel really sorry for Andy, he’s not been allowed to come to one appointment, not one scan or midwife appointment, so it’s harder for dads to feel involved. I’ve booked some online antenatal classes because I just want him to be involved, and so he can ask the questions he wants to ask. The biggest anxiety I’ve got is over the birth, just not knowing exactly what will be allowed, how long
Andy will be able to be there, whether I’ll be alone.
Because it’s so unpredictable, the birthing process, what if something happens and I’m on my own?
That’s what I’m worried about.
I’m trying not to let it terrify me or overthink it, because there’s nothing I can do. But it’s just one of those things that’s very hard.
It sounds like daily walks really help – is there anything else you’ve been finding beneficial? BAKING really calms me. You follow a recipe, manage the time or whatever, it just kind of pulls me out of anything I’m feeling, and then
I’m just focused on the baking. We recently had a kitchen renovation so it’s so nice being back in it. I’ve baked every couple of days. It’s all cupcakes and stuff, and this morning I over-complicated things by saying I’m going to make four flavours. But it was lovely and I enjoyed it – and they taste delicious.
People talk about pressure to be super-productive in lockdown – how have you found all that?
IT depends how bored you are. One of my friends hasn’t been able to work and they’ve found it really difficult. My parents redecorated their house – but they’re retired. Fair enough, if that’s going to get you through it.
It’s about accepting everyone is different, and everyone has their own time, so don’t judge. Let people find their own path, without putting pressure on stuff.
It’s unknown for everyone, whether you’re in sport, a parent, whatever. It’s about finding the way through that’s best for you.
Is there a particular way you approach life and keeping well?
I’VE always just lived by the pattern of moderation and balance – whether that’s diet, work-life, having my own time – there’s ‘mum Becky’, ‘work Becky’, there are so many things you can have going on, Life is about finding that right balance for you.
And that balance will shift sometimes you’ll want a heavier workload, sometimes you won’t. Sometimes you’ll want more ‘me time’, sometimes you won’t, that balance is constantly shifting. I’ve always tended to live by that. It’s got me so far, so I think it’s helped!
For more on Rebecca Adlington’s SwimStars, visit beckyadlingtons-swimstars.com