Fertility charity helped family survive – mother

A mother said support from a fertility charity "has allowed us to survive" after she went through six rounds of IVF treatment to start a family in Jersey.

Ioana was helped by Tiny Seeds, which provided advisory support and helped her meet others going through similar experiences.

The charity found in a survey of some of those it had supported that just over half of respondents felt isolated during their fertility journey and two-thirds said they had dealt with feelings of failure or inadequacy.

Ioana, who thanked the charity for being a "lifeline", has shared her experiences as part of Fertility Awareness Week because she wanted to show support was available for others in the island, she said.

Ioana and her husband spent more than £52,000 during the decade-long attempt, which eventually ended with her having a daughter.

She said of some of the journey: "It felt very lonely and very isolating... It was a lifeline to find out about the charity, to go to the support meetings where I've made lifelong friends.

Of the treatments, she said: "It felt like we were always on the back foot, so there was frustration and anger with regards to that element.

"With every treatment, every failed treatment, [we were] having to pick up the pieces of ourselves and deal the grief of losing embryos, having multiple pregnancy losses and the impact that had on our own relationship our marriage."

Ioana said she hoped sharing her story would help others struggling and let them know help was available.

She said: "I think the main message from my perspective would be don't assume and do listen.

"People have the tendency to try and fix it but, unfortunately, sometimes words don't come out as they are intended, which can hurt and be triggering.

"If you see that someone is maybe not doing so well... offer your support by just being there in case they want to talk about it."

Chloe Fosse co-founded Tiny Seeds five years ago and said results from its survey showcased the problems many faced in the island.

She said: "It takes a really significant toll on people's mental health... The vast majority of people are experiencing depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation.

"I do think that even just by talking about it and raising awareness then, hopefully over time, we will change those feelings of isolation because people will understand that actually they're not alone."

Tiny Seeds has provided more than 160 grants of up to £400 to help people with travel costs for IVF treatment in the UK since 2023.

Follow BBC Jersey on X,Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.