Coronavirus Information - Fertility Risks And Precautions
On-Demand Fertility Seminar On-Demand Egg Freezing Seminar

Fertility, Coronavirus, and what patients need to know and do regarding COVID-19 while planning to get pregnant

The COVID-19 is a newer variation of Coronavirus with unique characteristics. We have experience navigating other similar viruses, such as MERS and SARS, that can provide valuable guidance. Every passing day, experts are conducting new studies and providing data that can help us know how to better protect ourselves from this deadly virus and the available treatment options.

At present, health experts agree that is it is important to prevent the risk factors for the infection and that everyone should avoid contracting the virus. Thankfully, there are a lot of simple things we can do to mitigate the risk, such as washing our hands frequently, disinfecting surfaces, avoiding crowded places, practicing social distancing, etc.

As we keep an eye on the latest developments about the coronavirus situation, we are dedicated to monitoring the news and recent studies about COVID-19 while implementing protocols to ensure our patients’ safety. Our ultimate goal is to ensure we meet our patients’ needs and, at the same time, do all we can to keep our clients, staff, and communities safe.

Coastal Current Fertility Treatment Guidance

  1. Fertility Seminars: We will keep hosting our  virtual fertility and egg freezing seminars. Please check our upcoming fertility and egg freezing seminars if you are interested.
  2. Consultations and Fertility Checkups:  At the moment, we offer both in-office and online consultations. Patients who chose to go for in-office consultations and diagnostic checkups (blood work, ultrasound, and so on) will need to go through our screening process when they arrive at the clinic. 
  3. New Treatment Cycles: We will continue to initiate new treatment cycles as scheduled by your physician. These include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), ovulation induction, non-urgent egg or embryo freezing, and embryo transfer. 
  4. In-Cycle Patients:  We will keep attending to patients who are presently undergoing a treatment cycle.

Special note: We will continue to review and update our guidance as this coronavirus situation evolves. We aim to maintain the highest level of safety without disrupting patient care. Also, we implore you to keep checking the website of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest information about COVID-19 and pregnancy.

Who is at the highest risk?

According to the CDC, most people have a low risk of exposure to coronavirus disease. However, those in the following groups are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19:

    • Elderly people, aged 65 and above
    • Friends and families of infected people
    • Travelers who just returned from countries with an ongoing community spread
    • Those with pre-existing medical conditions or a weak immune system
    • People who live in or travel to places with high incidences of the disease
    • Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare givers in contact with infected persons

Coronavirus Fertility Precautions

As we have mentioned above, there are some general precautions we need to be taking when it comes to personal, home, and office hygiene. The most important ones are regular washing of hands and social distancing.

To lower the risk of getting the virus during your treatment cycle, we advise that you remain cautious and practice social distancing, most especially when you are undergoing the cycle. Also, try to avoid social gatherings and work from home if you are permitted. And if you need help requesting the modifications from your boss, your fertility doctor will be glad to hand you a note asking for the modifications.

Common Fertility Treatment Coronavirus Questions

The health of patients who are being stimulated for a fertility treatment cycle matters. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or acute respiratory infection (cough, sore throat, or fever) or have been in touch with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, please contact your healthcare professional or a coronavirus testing facility ASAP.

Currently, there’s no need to wait as we have resumed our regular consultations and treatments cycle with full pace. Our consultations can be scheduled online via phone or Skype. If you like, you can also come to our clinic for an in-office consultation.

If you are experiencing symptoms, have been in contact with an infected person, or have been infected with Coronavirus, we recommend that you have your cycle rescheduled to a later time. Please check with your coordinator or doctor to discuss your situation.

As with many other viral infections, there’s no scientific evidence to show that coronavirus disease can be transmitted to embryos. Neither is there any evidence to prove that the virus can be passed on to eggs or sperm.  In fact, one of the advantages of using ART (assisted reproductive technology) over natural conception is that the procedures are designed to reduce exposure and control variables.

If you are suspecting you might have contracted the virus, you are going to be placed on home quarantine till we can confirm that you are free from the infection.

 

Your cycle will be rescheduled. This means that you won’t be permitted to go on with elective procedures, such as artificial insemination, egg retrievals, or embryo transfers. Your treatment cycle will be postponed until you are 100% healthy. Even your frozen embryos won’t be thawed until it’s time to transfer them.

We understand that you may be disappointed that your cycle will be postponed, but we are doing this to ensure your safety.

Common Pregnancy Coronavirus Questions

We are going to focus on symptoms management. You will have to take acetaminophen, an over-the-counter drug that is used to relieve fevers. The aim is to make sure your body temperature does not exceed 100.50. In some instances, your doctor may choose to prescribe an anti-viral drug that is known to be safe for pregnant women.

Although there’s not much research on this area, an early study of 9 infected pregnant women looks promising. The study indicates that the coronavirus is not transmitted from mother to baby, and researchers could not detect viral particles in the samples of cord blood, amniotic fluid, or breast milk. Your doctor and local hospital will have the needed resources and develop a detailed monitoring plan for you and your baby.