Abbie Ward: ‘I felt apprehensive having headshots two weeks after giving birth'

It was announced in early January of this year that Bristol Bears player Abbie Ward and her husband, Head Coach Dave Ward were expecting their first child together. Nine months later Abbie and Dave now have a baby girl, Hallie, and Abbie is back in training with Bristol Bears. Her aim is to return to play in time for Bristol Bears' first game in the Allianz Premiership on the 18th November against Sale Sharks.

Bristol finished their Premiership campaign in fourth last season, despite falling short in their semi-final to Exeter Chiefs. Abbie is chomping at the bit to return but at the moment, is enjoying every minute with her new daughter, Hallie. Abbie tells RugbyPass how she's found being a mum so far and her excitement to play again.

“Everything is going really well” she begins. “Week by week we've been progressing with the training plan that was put in place during my pregnancy. We're even a little bit ahead of schedule, My plan is to return for the first game of the Premiership which is the 18th November. It's great, I'm running again this week.

“One of the considerations I didn't think about and why you have to go slowly to begin with is due to bone density from breastfeeding. It obviously depletes your calcium stores. There's been lots of things I've had to learn which previously I'd never had to think about but it's going really well and I'm looking forward to being back on the pitch with the girls soon”.

Abbie has been completing all her rehab at Bristol and she admits it's been the perfect environment and not just for herself but for baby Hallie, too.

“They've been great throughout and so proactive with everything.

“For example, a couple of weeks ago, they came to me and said they've had changing facilities fitted for Hallie that I can use. It wasn't even a consideration, they just came straight to me. They've offered me a place to express my milk and store it. That's the type of environment that I've been rehabbing in and it's just been brilliant.

“Most of the time I'm here by myself and Hallie gets looked after by family at home but there has been the odd occasion where I've had to bring her in for physio or for meetings and everyone has been so great. A lot of the girls have a hold and it puts me at ease with being able to do that”.

Despite Abbie only having two weeks of downtime after giving birth, she believes she has more energy and can't wait to be back on the rugby field. “Even though with all the night feeds and not having much sleep, it's given me more energy being back in the rugby environment.

“Just seeing the girls and getting my body moving excites me. There are a lot of new faces as well, I haven't played for Bristol since the semi-final in 2022. I know I've got a lot to learn and catch up on and I want to make sure I put my best foot forward for the season”.

That excitement transcends to the Red Roses. New boss John Mitchell is currently coaching Japan's men at the Rugby World Cup and will start his new role fully after the tournament concludes while Louis Deacon, the England forwards coach, is in interim charge for now. And Abbie tells Rugbypass she is looking forward to working with John when she returns on the international stage.

“I'm really looking forward to it,” she begins. “Everything that I hear about John Mitchell is positive, whether that's through speaking to other players or coaches that have worked with him. I'm incredibly excited. The level of detail and the energy that he brings is something which I look for in a coach.

“I think regardless of how successful your coaches are, it's always good to have a change up every now and again. I think it's something that's going to be great for us. We definitely need to add to our game and I think we can. Everyone is just hungry to improve their game, even myself. I've played for eight years but I still feel I've got a lot to learn and I think Mitch is definitely the guy that can take us to the next level.”

Before every new season begins, clubs have headshot day where players have photos taken in their new club kit. Bristol had their headshot day at the end of August and Ward admits she felt a mixture of emotions.

“It's always exciting for headshot day - being in a new kit and being with everyone for the first time is great. It's like that first day of school isn't it? Especially after a period off. It was obviously a bit different for me this time, though.

“There were lots of considerations. We bought Hallie in for headshots. I think she was about a week and a half, maybe two weeks old at the time. That was great, I felt so proud to be able to have a photo with her. It was amazing, particularly with both me and Dave being at Bristol. I think that's pretty special and an occasion we wanted to mark.

“At the same time, I felt apprehensive having headshots. Getting back into kit two weeks after giving birth, I was very aware that last time I did headshots, I was in a completely different sized kit.

“I think naturally, you are nervous and self-conscious of how you look but it's easier to get your head around when you're heavily pregnant and you've got that baby bump there, but I think something you don't really think about is post birth and that you still have that bump. It doesn't just vanish. I was definitely self-conscious but the girls have been incredible in terms of hyping me up as I'm definitely hard on myself”.

It's not just her teammates who have been supportive since giving birth. Abbie cannot speak highly enough of the S&S coaches at Bristol and England who have given her advice and a training programme she's had to follow throughout her pregnancy.

“They've been hugely instrumental, right from the beginning. It was new territory for myself and them but how they've adapted with me has been amazing and on a week by week basis. I haven't lost lots of strength and loads of power. I've kept my skill set up. Now I'm returning to play, we've already got a lot of boxes ticked.

“The head of physio, Kate Tyler at Bristol is also working with England as well so it's been nice to have that consistency because a lot of it is being planned and programmed by England and delivered by Bristol. It's very much about working in cohesion with Bristol and England.”

As the conversation draws to a close, Abbie offers her advice to other athletes who are maybe starting to think about forming a family of their own.

“Keep up as much activity as possible during pregnancy as you can. My ability to keep up my strength, my fitness, just being in and around the team has been huge. It's played dividends now I'm coming back.

“If I hadn't done that, I think it would have been harder and I'd have been looking at a much longer return. It's about taking it day by day and respecting your body and not being too hard on yourself.”