IVF suspended due to coronavirus

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www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/12/thousands-lose-last-hope-of-having-a-baby-as-lockdown-closes-ivf-clinics

Sorry but this is so wrong and unfair. Thousands of people could lose out permanently on their chance to have children because of a virus that most people survive if they get it anyway! The restrictions have now gone way too far.

Many people have had very important (potentially life saving) medical procedures cancelled or put on hold because of coronavirus patients taking priority and that shouldn't be allowed to happen either.

Pregnancy increases the mother’s life while this virus is rampant, and puts pressure on a health service where scant resources (staff) are being diverted to manage covid.

Pregnancy is a choice and assisted pregnancy definitely a choice. You could argue it’s irresponsible to become pregnant at this time.

I agree though about the other treatments effectively on hold for covid. It will take precedence for months and months and I worry about how many conditions will go undetected or under treated.

Pregnancy increases the mother’s life while this virus is rampant

What does that mean?

I agree with you for cancer treatment etc but not IVF.

My heart goes out to anyone in this situation. I don't think it's completely wrong to suspend it for now, but I do think any arbitrary deadlines such as age limits should be extended so people aren't excluded solely because of timing.

Or could e.g. egg harvesting continue to prevent further natural ageing, but implantations be suspended?

I don't know, but this complete stop just seems grossly unfair.

@Abraid2 sorry risks not increases

I’m not sure how many million the nhs spend on fertility treatments, but I can completely see why they have done this. We are in the middle of a pandemic, people are dying, frontline staff don’t have enough PPE. How can we justify non essential nhs treatment for anything right now?

I don’t agree with cancelling life threatening treatments though. I suspect we will see an increase in non covid19 deaths as a result

Those not understanding how horrific this is are hugely naive. Whether it is 'correct' decision or not doesn't stop it being truly horrific. If you don't get it, be thankful.

Heartbreaking but the pressure on the NHS is taking away services from all areas. Saving lives has to take priority.

I feel sorry for anyone having things cancelled at the moment however resources rightly need to be focused on keeping people alive.

There is going to be a massive knock on in many areas when things settle but they will have to be dealt with when this is over

But how does closing a private fertility clinic impact someone else's live saving treatment? I understand as far as NHS resources are concerned, but I don't understand the blanket ban?

I’m in that camp unfortunately. Was due to start a round in March and have diminished ovarian reserve so fear it may well have been my last chance. Added to that is a new diagnosis of MS in February where I was told I’d need to start medication immediately which isn’t going to happen for the forseeable, so not sure what impact that will have. Even so, I’m grateful to feel well and healthy as I know there are potentially lots of other people who are having life saving operations and treatment cancelled and delayed.

Thanks, @IheartNiles

But how does closing a private fertility clinic impact someone else's live saving treatment?

It is non-essential service and such services have been suspended in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus. The more people who are ill at the same time, the higher the chance of ventilator shortages.

Its beyond heartbreaking, but you can see why it is happening

Thanks @ViciousJackdaw I thought it may have been something more medical, IYSWIM

Not all treatment is cancelled. We are still doing life and limb saving operations, including those for cancer. It is almost impossible to contain covid atm. The very act of coming to hospital puts you at risk of catching it in hospital. We're trying our best but there are no guarantees.

Of course there will unfortunately patients who come to harm because of covid rather than from it. But we are all trying our best.

Yes most people will be ok but it's a numbers game and a significant percentage need additional support, that is still a huge number of patients to care for.

Coronavirus patients are not taking priority, they are just overwhelming our resources. This is a pandemic. All non-essential care has to be postponed so drs and nurses can be redeployed to help out.

I'm sorry but this is not about you. Have you seen the ever increasing list of nhs staff who have died doing their job to help others.

@MaggieFS because when things go wrong in private hospitals they become the NHS’s problem hence increasing the pressure on services.

I do feel sorry for people having their IVF cancelled as it’s possible in the future it will become unavailable on the NHS, but the money and staff are needed elsewhere currently.

In my hospital the only interventions we are doing is if there is an immediate threat to life, most cancer surgeries have been postponed without a rescheduled date.

It's a real shame but when resources are stretched to the maximum like this, I can see why it's only possible to continue with life-saving procedures. Perhaps as a PP said, IVF age limits could be extended where needed once we are past Corona so people will still have some kind of chance.

We are still doing life and limb saving operations, including those for cancer

Chemo is suspended for loads of people, my understanding is there are medical reasons for that due to it lowering the immune system etc.

Cancer surgery, some is going ahead but at a reduced capacity. My husband is a surgeon and has had to postpone lots of his cancer patients because the operating capacity he has been given mean not everyone can be done. This is because the hospital is taking patients from other hospitals to free up beds for covid.

I disagree with the decisions being made on cancer.

On IVF, it is unimaginably heartbreaking that this has happened. The impact on the mental health of those affected by this postponement can’t really be overstated. I’m not saying that it should be prioritised over saving lives, I’m saying it’s a fucking massive decision and I’m pleased it isn’t me that has to make it.

to anyone affected

Sorry OP, it is not wrong or unfair. IVF is a nice to have. I am of the opinion that it should not be available on the NHS anyway, but that is probably besides the point right now. Surely you can see that clinically urgent things need to be prioritised? If cervical smear tests are being postponed, then IVF absolutely should be too.

Not all cancer surgery is going ahead, but the most time critical is being done in my trust.

The chemo thing is difficult but I can understand the reasoning behind it. I really do feel for anybody who is unwell with anything at the moment. Especially cancer patients as they are possibly not going to get the best treatment.

But it isn't about covid patients taking priority, it's about making the best of the limited resources we have, and trying to keep as many people safe as possible.

Totally agree with @October2020. It's horrid, and if you don't get it be thankful. Of course there are many other horrific things happening (or not) as a result of coronavirus, but that doesn't make it less difficult for those affected by potentially not being able to have a family - no one is saying it should be happening over life saving treatment, just that it's not nice. And to everyone affected, yes, it is shit. Sometimes just being able to say it and have it acknowledged is what people need. It's a shit situation.

MIL chemo for her blood cancer is suspended. YABVU given how many people are getting their treatments cancelled and you are talking about IVF.

It's utterly utterly heartbreaking to have your IVF journey which is already traumatic and emotionally challenging interrupted or possibly stopped altogether if your faced with any sort of rapidly declining fertility. No words can make you feel better I just hope the clinics can find a way to reopen for all those affected.