What Patients Should Know About COVID-19 While Conceiving?

The COVID-19 is a newer variation of Coronavirus with unique characteristics. However, we have experience working through other waves of Coronaviruses to offer guidance. In past years, we have successfully navigated both SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome – Coronavirus) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus). 

Currently, all experts agree that we should all try to avoid exposure to the virus. Fortunately, there are a few simple things we can do to reduce the risks. Some suggestions include frequent hand washing, disinfection of surfaces, social distancing at home, and as well as in the workplace.

We commit ourselves to implement enhanced protocols to ensure your safety. Ultimately, our focus is to ensure we meet the needs of our patients while doing our part to keep you, our employees, and our communities safe.

RSMC Current Fertility Treatment Guidance Regarding Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

  1. Fertility Seminars: Keeping the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak in mind, fertility seminars will be virtual. We transitioned to this format some time ago to make it more convenient and completely private for our patients. If interested, please see our upcoming seminars.
  2. Consultations and Fertility Evaluations: We are offering both in-office and virtual consultations. All patients electing for onsite consultations with diagnostic evaluation (ultrasound, bloodwork, etc.) will undergo our screening process upon arrival. 
  3. Treatment Cycles: We will continue to initiate new treatment cycles as scheduled by your physician. These include ovulation induction, IUIsIVFegg retrievals, and frozen embryo transfers, as well as egg freezing.  
  4. In-Cycle Patients: Patient care will continue for patients who are currently ‘in-cycle.’
  5. Elective Surgeries: All elective surgeries are now continued. 

Please note: We are reviewing and updating our guidance periodically. Our goal is to maintain the highest degree of safety without disrupting patient care. Additionally, we encourage you to monitor sites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization. Also, stay in contact with your local health department for the most up to date information regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19.

Who is at the most Significant Risk?

According to the CDC, for most people, the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is low. The following groups of people are at higher risk of exposure:

  • Front-line Healthcare Professionals because they are likely to encounter people who have the virus.
  • Individuals from the places where there is a community spread.
  • Individuals who had contact with people who have traveled to areas where there is an ongoing community spread.
  • People who came into close contact with people who have the virus.
  • Travelers, who are coming back from international locations with the current community spread.
  • Older people, generally above 65.
  • People with underlying medical conditions as well as reduced immune function.

Coronavirus Fertility Precautions

As mentioned above, there are general precautions that everyone should be taking when it comes to self, home, and workplace hygiene. The most critical precautions in all of these instances are washing hands and social distancing.

We recommend you exercise the following cautions to minimize the possibility of contracting Coronavirus/COVID 19 during your fertility cycle:

  • Employ social distancing, especially while you are in a cycle.
  • The standard 6-foot distance is recommended in social distancing. Additionally, it is ideal to limit social gatherings of any size.
  • Work from home if allowable.
  • You may need support in requesting the modifications from your employer. In such a case, your physician will be happy to provide you a note requiring the modifications.

Common Questions on Fertility Treatment & Coronavirus

When our patients are in stimulation for an IUI or IVF cycle, it is always a priority to stay healthy. You may have been in contact with someone diagnosed with Coronavirus. You may also observe the typical symptoms of Coronavirus or an acute respiratory viral infection such as sore throat, fever, or cough. In such cases, you should contact your primary care provider or a local Coronavirus testing facility as soon as possible.

Currently, there’s no need to wait as we have resumed our regular consultations and treatments cycle with full pace. Still, you can schedule all of our consultations virtually over telephone or Skype. 

We recommend postponing your cycle if you are exhibiting symptoms, have been in contact with someone who tested positive or tested positive yourself. Additionally, please contact your coordinator or physician to discuss your unique circumstances.

Similar to many other viral infections, to date, there is no scientific evidence of transmission of Coronavirus/COVID-19 to embryos during fertility treatment. Additionally, there has not been any evidence of transmission of the virus to the sperm or eggs. In fact, there is a decided advantage in using assisted reproductive technology over natural pregnancy. The process of the collection, preparation, and wash procedures used in ART minimizes exposure and control variables.

If you are suspected of having contracted COVID-19, you will be placed on home quarantine until the lab test results are back and are negative.

Your fertility treatment cycle will be postponed in case of contracting Coronavirus/Covid 19. This delay means that you can not continue with insemination, retrievals, or embryo transfers for the time being. Your cycle can be delayed until a later time when you are healthy. Even in the case of embryo transfer, the frozen embryos will not be thawed until immediately before your transfer.

We realize that postponing a cycle can be disappointing; however, we are making these recommendations to maximize your safety.

Common Pregnancy Coronavirus Questions

At this time, the focus will be on symptoms management. Typically, you will need to take acetaminophen. It is an over-the-counter medication that is useful to reduce fevers. Basically, the goal is to keep your temperature below 100.5°. In some cases, your physician may decide to prescribe an anti-viral medication proven to be safe in pregnancy.

Right now, we have initial, limited data in hand. However, an early and limited study is promising. The research is suggesting that the virus does not spread through the placenta to the fetus. Also, researchers have not found viral particles in samples of amniotic fluid, cord blood, or breast milk (What are the risks of COVID 19 infection in pregnant women? Lancet 2020). Your physician and the local hospital will have resources and a comprehensive surveillance plan for you and the baby. Moreover, it can reflect the most up-to-date research at the time of your child’s birth.