GALLERY: Celebrating those who 'wouldn't be here'

Monday 21 September 2020

From first scan to first step, the early stages of parenthood are precious - but without the Assisted Reproduction Unit, some local parents wouldn’t have had the chance to hold such special memories.

Recent numbers show that one in eight couples struggle to start or add to their families with 5.2% of the 880 babies born in the Jersey last year born as a result of treatment with the ARU.

36 mums along with their bumps and babes gather at Samarès Manor for a photoshoot to celebrate the work of the ARU and the young islanders that wouldn't be here without it as part of a new campaign.

It was organised by Chloe Fosse, a former ARU patient, who has recently founded awareness-raising group 'Tiny Seeds Jersey'. She shared her story in a column in Express today.

Pictured: Mothers and children gathered to celebrate 'Tiny Seeds' and its work raising awareness for the ARU. 

Tiny Seeds' purpose is to celebrate and educate those seeking help from the ARU which is currently being redesigned pending the retirement of Neil MacLachlan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who has been running the unit since 1992.

As a way of highlighting Tiny Seeds and its campaign, Mrs Fosse enlisted photographer Sophie Darwin, who is known locally for her campaign to bust "unreal" body expectations by inviting Jersey mums to bare all, as well as her work for World Breastfeeding Week.

Pictured: Former ARU patient, Chloe Fosse, organised the photoshoot. 

“The response to the call-out for the photoshoot was fantastic, with so many parents coming forward," Mrs Fosse said.

"Many of these people have been on long and difficult journeys to have their babies and it was lovely to come together and celebrate them all.

"It was also clear from speaking to the people there, just how grateful they are to Neil and the team at the ARU for everything they do in helping people have a family.”

Featuring group images of mums with their children along with the team from the ARU and some family portraits these families share more detailed stories of what the process looked like to have their family.

The photos will be shared on social media using the hashtag #wouldntbehere on the Tiny Seeds and Sophie Darwin Photography Facebook and Instagram pages this week.

GALLERY...