At a recent medical conference, we met Tracey Bambrough and Sara Marshall-Page, founders of IVF Babble, a fresh new website that offers expertise from fertility experts, the latest news in the fertility field, and a community for those embarking on the IVF journey. As we are always looking for support resources for our egg donor recipients, we interviewed Tracey and Sarah to learn more about what IVF Babble offers.
What inspired you to start IVF babble? What’s your vision for the website and where do you see IVF babble in 5 years?
First, may we take this opportunity to introduce ourselves. We are Tracey and Sara, two women who have been through IVF treatment and are now thrilled to say, both proud mums to twin girls. Our journeys were not straightforward at all, with Sara’s treatment lasting 4 years and Tracey’s taking almost 10. Along the way we both experienced major setbacks, all of which were handled with confusion, disbelief and fear due to a lack of clear information and support.
We made the decision a couple of years ago that although we didn’t have sufficient support when we were going through treatment, we could do something to help others. We live in an online world, where people want information 24/7, at the touch of their fingertips, so it made perfect sense to create a website with a difference – a beautifully presented, fresh, well informed and accurate online magazine.
We only launched in November but we are well on our way to reaching our goal of becoming the go to place for everything fertility related.
What kind of content and resources can a visitor expect to find there?
The message we want to get across to our readers through our articles is ‘diagnosis is key’. Our articles will help you understand possible reasons as to why you can’t conceive. Armed with this knowledge, you can talk to your doctor with clarity, about the options available to you.
On the website you will find expert advice for every path to parenthood, whether that be IVF, ICSI, surrogacy, sperm donation, egg donation, or embryo donation.
Alongside the expert advice, you will read stories from those that have experienced fertility treatment. Sharing stories has the most comforting and calming effect.
You will also discover a wealth of information on well-being such as nutrition, acupuncture, massage, fitness and a balanced mind.
We bring you the latest fertility news from around the world, and of course no magazine would be complete without a celebrity story. I think we can all say, it inspires us and makes us realize even more so that we’re not alone when a celeb ‘comes out’ and shares their IVF experiences.
Where can we find information on donor eggs on your site?
There is much information to be found on egg donation on the website. Simply click on the donor box in the carousel on the IVF Babble homepage and you will be taken straight through to your own page, full of articles and stories.
Do you offer support networks?
We provide information on support networks for our readers, but we too offer support in varying ways. You can email us to put a query to one of our experts, or you can come along to one of our events and actually meet the experts, alongside other men and women who have been through fertility treatment.
In the next few months we will be launching a social network platform called IVF buddy. It will allow you to search for clinics and support groups in your area, as well as a buddy going through the same as you …an ‘around me’ for everything fertility so to speak.
What words of encouragement do you have for others on their infertility journey?
We know only too well how low fertility challenges can make you feel. Trying to remain positive in a world full of pregnant women is very, very difficult. Advice like ‘try to stay positive’ is not the best advice. Instead, we would say it’s important to understand why you can’t conceive and talk to your doctor about the best option for you with regards diagnostic and fertility treatment.
Do not just jump straight into IVF. Look at the options available to you and choose one that is right for you. Get yourself well mentally and physically. Eat well, talk to your partner or a close friend. Don’t bottle things up.
This is a journey, so be prepared that it may take a while. Do as much as you can to prepare. Breathe, open your eyes and be empowered by understanding your options and the process as you move forwards on your path to parenthood.
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