IVF Account Roundup: How to Support Your IVF Journey With Social Media
Introduction
As an IVF mom and a registered nurse, I understand first and secondhand the emotional rollercoaster that comes with infertility and entering into treatment. The ups and downs, the hopes and fears, and the overwhelming uncertainty of each cycle is isolating and incredibly stressful.
After being diagnosed with infertility in 2016 when I went in for my “come back in a year if you aren’t pregnant yet” appointment, I walked out of the appointment with nothing except numbness.
Our TTC journey began in August 2015. Withdrawal was the coping mechanism I involuntarily chose, and over the next few years I’d slide slowly into isolation, dreaming of a maybe one day baby.
Table of Contents
1. Why Turn to Social Media for IVF Support?
2. How To Locate Supportive Infertility Accounts and IVF Journeys
3. Example Keywords To Find IVF Journey Accounts
4. The Roundup Winter 2023: IVF Journey Social Media Accounts
Blogs
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
5. How I Decided When To Stop Following IVF Journeys
6. Additional Professional Resources for IVF Journey Support
Creator Invitation
In this blog post, I'm sharing how to personalize your social media algorithm with roundup of some inspiring and informative social media accounts and blogs that share personal IVF journeys.
Note from Julie Klemens, Blog Author: this blog post focuses on IVF, as most IVF patients have already undergone less invasive treatment and you’ll likely stumble upon IUI and medicated cycle support in conjunction with these accounts.
Social media offers a platform for people to share their infertility treatment stories, IVF journeys, child-free journeys, connect with others, and find strength and kinship in their shared experiences. Infertility does not discriminate, and neither do we here on this blog. As I become aware of more diverse infertility and IVF journey accounts creating consistent content, I will update links.
1. Why Turn to Social Media for IVF Support?
Social media can be a valuable tool for navigating the emotional challenges of infertility. It can provide a sense of community and understanding, as well as access to information and resources.
Here are some of the benefits of using social media for IVF support:
Connecting with others: Social media allows you to connect with other people who are going through similar experiences. This can help you feel less alone and provide you with a sense of community.
Finding support and encouragement: You can find support and encouragement from other women who have been through infertility and understand what you are going through.
Learning from others' experiences: You can learn from other women's experiences and get tips on how to cope with the emotional challenges of infertility.
Finding information and resources: You can find information and resources about infertility, such as treatment options, support groups, and research studies. Please do remember, social media is not always the best source for information on medical treatment. HOWEVER- we know in 2023, more and more people are turning to search discovery on social platforms for information of all kinds and I believe that you are an intelligent capable person and you can discern what’s wackadoodle craziness and what is legitimate.
Take all treatment concerns and questions to the OBGYN or reproductive endocrinologist overseeing your infertility care.
2. How To Locate Supportive Infertility Accounts and IVF Journeys
When you first start out to build your online community, it can feel like you’re the only one out there on an IVF journey. Let me tell you a few ways to discover more accounts. My experience is primarily rooted in Instagram, but these practices can be applied to other social media platforms.
Ask your current audience if they have input
View the list of people your favorite creators follow
Look at your suggested accounts
Perform a web search
Use keywords in the search bar
3. Example Keywords To Find IVF Journey Accounts
Search discovery is how many social media accounts grow, and to locate specific posts or accounts, you can use the search tool within each platform and be connected with relevant content. Here are some example search terms you can use to connect to IVF journey accounts:
IVF journey
IVF support
Infertility support
NIAW (National Infertility Awareness Week, usually the last week of April BTW)
Infertility community
Infertility warrior
Infertility sucks
4. The Roundup Winter 2023: IVF Journey Social Media Accounts
These accounts offer a variety of content, including personal stories, tips on coping with infertility, and information about treatment options.
Infertility Journey: Blogs
In addition to social media accounts, there are also many informative IVF blogs written by women who have been through the process. These blogs can provide you with a wealth of information and support. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Two Week Wait Blog Encouragement and personal stories
The IVF Project Helpful informative posts about IVF
The Ribbon Box All inclusive blog with content from infertility to beyond pregnancy. Link to a personal IVF journey story
This IVF Life Personal anecdotes with factual information
Infertility Journey: Instagrams
I spend a lot of my social time between Instagram, Threads and Pinterest. Instagram is where I supported my infertility journey, but as platforms evolve I recognize people spend their time different. Here are some of my evergreen favorites:
Chiemi at Miss Conception Coach Inspirational support, mental health support, 1:1 coaching
Sarah Shockley at While We Wait Personal infertility journey and loads of helpful informational posts
Doug & Jesse at Uniquely Knitted Mental health support & affordable therapeutic process support groups
Dr. Lora Shashine Reproductive Endocrinologist physician
Cheryl Dowling at The IVF Warrior IVF support and information
Dr. Loree Johnson Psychotherapist, LMFT aka Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
Dr. Natalie Crawford Reproductive Endocrinologist physician
Infertility Journey and IVF Support: TikTok
Suzie, Women’s health RN Women’s health nurse content creator focusing on IVF
NurseWithEndo Registered nurse journaling her IVF journey
Teale Kelley, Fertility RN and surrogate A fertility nurse who is also a surrogate
Mardochée at mermaidmaman Creator & IVF mom normalizing infertility for Black people
IVF Support and IVF Journeys: YouTube
Kendra Tolbert at Live Fertile Dietitian & Infertility Yoga Instructor
Catherine Chong at Fertility Dietitian Women’s fertility dietitian
Bettina Rae Infertility Yoga Instructor
5. How I Decided When To Stop Following IVF Journeys
Honestly, it took a tremendously long time for me to acknowledge I was ready to evolve on social media and let go of some of the accounts I had followed for years. I actually felt like a traitor, having silently cheered these women on and now coming to terms with that unfollow button.
It is healthy and normal to cleanse your social media and update your personal algorithm so that it suits your unique journey. I do not endorse following accounts that give you that chest clutching anxiety every time you see their posts. Not all content is created for you, and not all content will resonate with everyone. Because social media content in the infertility space is often created from a personal perspective as opposed to a business and marketing perspective, you may not benefit from it all.
That is okay. It does not diminish your feelings.
You are supported and loved no matter where you are in your journey.
Smash the unfollow button and move on to a better space.
6. Additional Professional Resources for IVF Journey Support
In addition to the social media accounts and blogs mentioned above, there are also many other resources available for IVF support. Here are a few:
These organizations offer a variety of resources, including information about treatment options, support groups, and research studies.
7. Conclusion
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Isolation is easy, but you don’t have to experience the feeling of lonely. There are many people who understand what you are going through and who can offer support and encouragement. Hope this helps.
