Kathryn and her partner are hoping to adopt their own children one day

of abuse she decided to delete her account

A woman who collects lifelike dolls has told how she used to document faux-pregnancies online by sharing photos of a fake bump - until internet trolls forced her off social media.

Kathryn Barnes, from Chicago, who owns ten 'reborn' dolls, would entertain her Instagram followers with pretend ultrasound photos she'd made using an editing app, as well as snaps of her expanding 'bump.'

The 21-year-old saw it all as a bit of fun as she excitedly counted down to each new dolls arrival – but others did not feel the same.

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Kathryn Barnes has built up a collection of ten reborn dolls with whom she would entertain her Instagram followers. Pictured: Kathryn with reborn doll Ariel

After receiving a torrent of abuse from those who criticised what she was doing, she has now closed her account.

She said: 'Reborn parents use the term "reborn pregnancy", when they're expecting a new doll and role-play the "pregnancy" by posting photos online of tests and hospital rooms where they would go in to 'labour,'' she said.

'This informs followers that you're expecting a new doll in the post, and it gets you excited about your new arrival. It makes the waiting process go quicker.

'I learned the term when I joined the reborn community on Instagram and I started posting photos because I decided it was a cool way to let my followers know I was receiving a reborn.

Kathryn would even create reborn pregnancies sharing pictures of her fake bump (pictured) and sonograms

Unfortunately due to a torrant of abuse online Kathryn has now deleted her Instagram account. Pictured here with one of her reborns

'However, I no longer have an account due to bullying and harassment. I hope I can have another account in the future.

'People were private messaging me criticising me and what I was doing. It confused me as others did it too, but I didn't want a fight so I deleted my account.'

Kathryn was inspired to start collecting the lifelike dolls after her grandmother Marie Romano, bought one on a family holiday back in 2002. Just aged seven at the time, she said she thought the doll was cute.

The aspiring learning difficulties teacher started collecting the dolls herself and in November 2015 she purchased her first doll – a girl named Sailor – for $500 (£346).

Kathryn, who is an aspiring teacher for those with learning difficulties, has reborn twins with Downs Syndrome called Aurora and Jaxson (pictured)

Kathryn and her wife-to-be Kelly Fitzpatrick, 30, hope to adopt children with the condition and one day pass them down to her future children. Pictured: Aurora and Jaxson

Since then her collection has grown and her dolls, Harper, Ludovic, Ariel, Xavier, Gracelynn, Kelly, Gabriela, Owen, Aurora and Jaxson, range from newborns to three-year-olds.

She also told of how three-month-old twins Aurora and Jaxson have Down Syndrome.

Kathryn and her wife-to-be Kelly Fitzpatrick, 30, hope to adopt children with the condition, so she felt it important to have dolls with the Down Syndrome so that she's able to bring awareness - and also pass the dolls on to her future children.

Kathryn bought her first doll Sailor (not pictured) for $500 (£346) and has now built up her collection to ten. Pictured: Harper and Shiri

Her collection now ranges from newborns to three-year-olds. Pictured: Dolls Xavier (left) and Gracelyn (right)

Over time, she has encountered some negative comments from people who thought she was 'too old for dolls' but, she took these in her stride.

She continued: 'I think anyone should be allowed to collect what makes them happy, no matter what age they are.

'I love my reborn babies. Each one of them brings me joy. My family and fiancée like my dolls and support my hobby.'

Kathryn was inspired to start collecting the lifelike dolls after her grandmother Marie Romano (pictured with Ariel), bought one on a family holiday back in 2002

Kathryn does not take her dolls out in public but says she would like to take sleeping newborn Kelly (pictured) out as he looks 'super realistic'

Although she previously documented the dolls' lives online, Kathryn said that, in real life, she does not take them out in public much, preferring to keep them at home.

She continued: 'Once I took Harper to the hospital when I had to visit. I have a fear of needles so I had her to hold onto in case they needed to do blood work.

'She's so lifelike people thought she was the one who needed medical attention. I would like to take Kelly out too. He's a sleeping reborn and that makes him look super realistic.'

Kathryn says that her family and her fiance are completely supportive of her hobby that guided her through depression

Kathryn is sharing her story as she would like more people to know about reborns, believing them to be therapeutic.

'A friend of mine lost her baby four years ago. I told her about reborns and she now has them, and finds them helpful,' she explained.

'They helped me overcome depression too. I was bullied at school from the age of nine to 18, called names and made fun of because of my appearance.