Page 93 - Mother & Baby - UK (March 2020)

Life&Kids

From social media
grew a super-
support group

Anna (left) took comfort
from her TTC friends

‘Social media gave us hope’

“Anyone interested in a meet-up?”, I typed, challenges my “TTC
adding the hashtag #ttcsisters. I didn’t expect sisters” had overcome,
much uptake, but to my surprise 18 women so all I could feel was
commented on my post, all saying they’d love genuine happiness for them.
to get together. It was the boost I needed. We became cheerleaders
“TTC” was short for “trying to conceive”, for one another.
an abbreviation I’d been using daily on Then, after my second
Instagram. I’d set up my account three years round of IVF and just before
ago with the sole purpose of meeting others our second meet-up, I got
who were going through treatment. After two the news I’d been longing
years trying to conceive, I was soon to for – I was pregnant
embark on my first cycle of IVF. too! When the
Joining Instagram and sharing Anna congratulations
the ups and downs of trying to Durbin,39,a messages rolled
get pregnant was what kept healthandsafety in, I could sense
me going. Announcement consultant,livesin every member of
after announcement would Nottinghamwith the group’s joy.
roll in from “real-life’ friends husbandCraigand As a group, we’re
about their pregnancies and, daughter an amazing advert
while I was happy for them, Cora,two for IVF and the
I couldn’t deny the pain I felt. power of social media.
With Instagram, I knew I could log An incredible 17 of us
on, look what other TTC ladies were up are now mums, and we’ve
to, and instantly feel less alone. continued to support one
Following that first successful post, I set up a another on Instagram and
WhatsApp group and busied myself organising WhatsApp. I’ve even taken
an afternoon tea at a central location. As my daughter Cora along to a
well as sharing the lowdown on where we meet-up. I honestly believe that
were up to medically, we opened up about having that support network is
our emotional struggles. what’s kept us all going. At one
After that first meet-up, our WhatsApp and point in our IVF journeys we
Instagram “TTC sisters” chats really took off. did a “gift swap” – filling shoe
One by one, members of our group became boxes with treats like candles
pregnant. Every announcement gave me and soap to give one another
hope, and I felt none of the negativity I’d a boost. You don’t forget

experienced when non-IVF friends had that sort of kindness – it
broken their news. I knew first-hand the touches your soul.

mothe ra ndbaby.co.uk | March 2 0 2 0 | 9 1