BBC News journalist Anna Collinson has announced her pregnancy, sharing her personal journey through four years of fertility struggles, two rounds of IVF, and two miscarriages. Collinson, an investigative journalist and presenter for BBC News, Newsnight, and Newsbeat, revealed the news on Wednesday, acknowledging the sensitivity of such announcements for those still trying to conceive.
In a social media post, Collinson showed her baby bump and stated, "I'm excited to finally share that I'm pregnant. I also know that for anyone struggling to have a baby, seeing happy pregnancy announcements on social media can be hard, so I want to be honest."
She detailed the emotional and physical toll of her experience, writing, "Getting to this point has taken my husband and me four long years. During that time, I experienced two miscarriages and we went through two rounds of IVF." She described fertility problems as "incredibly isolating," emphasizing that the psychological strain is often underestimated. Collinson highlighted the difficulty of the waiting periods for appointments and results, and the feeling of being stuck while others move forward.
Collinson expressed gratitude for the support she received, stating, "I'm so grateful to everyone who supported us through this time. I couldn't have got through it without my safe spaces where I could be truly honest, vent, cry and even laugh."
She extended her thoughts to others on their fertility journeys, hoping her shared experience might offer a sense of solidarity. "My thoughts are with anyone currently navigating their own fertility journey. I know sharing my experience won't make things easier, but I hope it might help you feel a little less alone or a little more understood. Today, I feel incredibly lucky. I don't take that for granted," she wrote.
Collinson married her long-term partner, Sam Morris, this summer after ten years together. The announcement of her pregnancy follows her recent wedding.
The post received numerous congratulatory messages, including one from Victoria Derbyshire, who described the announcement as "poignant."