Scotland forward Claire Emslie was working out in the gym when her waters broke, and just hours later she welcomed her first child. Six months on, she is back in Budapest wearing the Scotland jersey and preparing for the World Cup finals.

The 32-year-old has experienced an eventful start to 2026 as a new mother to her son Jamie.

She resumed training in mid-January and marked her comeback with Los Angeles club Angel City on 10 May, which coincided with Mother's Day in the United States.

Last Friday she pulled on the Scotland shirt for the first time in over a year, starting in Melissa Andreatta's team that defeated Israel 6-0 during World Cup qualifying.

The team meets Israel again on Tuesday, aiming to stay ahead of Belgium at the top of Group B4 and secure a place at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

Emslie describes how motherhood has transformed her outlook, though the timing of Jamie's arrival took her by surprise.

"My club supported me fully throughout the pregnancy," she explained to BBC Scotland. "My body handled more than anticipated and I kept training until the day of the birth.

"My waters broke during a gym session. I was performing an exercise, stepped back and felt it happen, thinking 'here we go'.

"We had been enjoying a regular day - my husband Jonny and I swam in the pool and visited the gym - and within hours we had our little boy."

Because Jamie arrived earlier than planned, Emslie and her husband had limited time to prepare for their new roles as parents.

"No, but we were happy it unfolded that way as it meant I did not overthink things," she said. "It was simply time to begin.

"Panic only struck when we reached the hospital and learned surgery would start within the hour. That feeling faded quickly though, as he arrived soon after and we became parents.

"We had expected him on 27 December and I hoped he would not arrive on Christmas Day. Instead he came two weeks early, which delighted us."

Even with her swift return to matches, Emslie notes that recovery after a Caesarean section demanded careful pacing.

"I began pelvic floor physiotherapy three weeks later," she said. "The main focus was restoring my abdominal muscles. Everything else remained strong, so it was about allowing time for healing.

"After three weeks I moved on to mobility exercises and built up gradually. Angel City provided outstanding support, demonstrating what can be achieved with proper help and determination."

Now back with the national squad, Emslie is concentrated on guiding Scotland to the tournament in Brazil.

"Nothing compares," she said. "Representing Scotland is the ultimate for any player. Reaching a World Cup is the pinnacle.

"Achieving that in Brazil, a nation defined by football, would be unforgettable."