Coronavirus and fertility clinics.

[mabel92]

Has anyone’s fertility clinic told them they will close due to Coronavirus? I’m due to start treatment and now confused as what to do or whether I’ll be able to start. Thanks.

@bunhead34 which clinic are you at?

This is all sooo confusing. I’m emotionally drained fighting this. I’m desperate to go ahead and then thinking that if it will go to lockdown it will be the end of it anyway. Who knows what lockdown actually mean? Does every private hospital / clinic will shut down?

@Katiebooboo it is really difficult to tell but in other countries it seems that there are exception for essential travel (medical appointments usually being one of them). But I get the feeling that there is a discrepancy in the industry as to whether fertility treatment is essential (even in the eyes of HEFA it's not). I'm really sorry you feel so horrible and that everything is so confusing xxx

@Matilda128 yes at Sheffield. I would be less upset if they hadn't told me at 4pm on Friday that it was all going ahead so pretty much if I'd started yesterday it would be fine but today it isn't sorry to see so many people in similar positions

And of course there will still be people becoming pregnant naturally during this time. I hope we all get a clearer picture soon xx

@takingthistooseriously It's really rubbish! So unfair. Take carexxx

@Matilda128

To your point as to why not freeze all ( as I have argued this point with my clinic this morning) they told that the risk of OHSS and the post opp complications ( potentially) that would require NHS help is what they are trying to avoid

@Katiebooboo Those risks- the ones that when we start our treatment we are told are very very rare. My clinic does freeze all cycles to prevent OHSS so that is strange as well. The other week I checked guidelines in terms of plastic surgery to see how they compared. There was no ban at all but there was a useful list in terms of what to avoid to put extra pressures on surgeons during the pandemic. This included no DIY and being careful when you cut your food in the kitchen. I think if they really want to reduce pressure in the NHS this may be a good place to start.

I'm with kings in London.
My ec is Friday now as they want to give the eggs a little longer.
It just feels like extra time for it all to be cancelled 😭

I just got cancelled by Care. Devastating. But at the same time I think we need to look at the positives. After the world has recovered we will have less stress which in the long run means higher success rates. I have been trying for almost four years. First round of IVF.

Time to focus on getting the world back together! Stay safe everyone.

@Daisy11111 so sorry ❤️
Have you started any medication?

I started down reg on March 10th. So technically doesn’t class as treatment.

Although the side effects along with Coronavirus have killed me!!

Time for a glass of wine and a run then onto a new normal for a few months.

I think we will be able to start again by the Autumn.

The most frustrating thing for me is that I work up and down the country 5 days a week normally - anywhere from Brighton to Edinburgh and scheduling work around IVF treatment is a constant nightmare especially when doing back to back cycles and now I'm home for the foreseeable future (my company reckons 12 weeks) which would be perfect to do IVF and rest but now it's cancelled 🤦‍♀️ can't seem to win!

Does anybody know of a clinic still taking new patients ? I’m desperate

Has anyone just watched Boris’ statement ........ does our apt’s count as a medical need .... I think it should but don’t think HFEA and the like do ? X

@Xx40yearsyoungxx

My clinic said it wouldn't be classed as medical need. Unless you had already triggered or were a couple of days away from collection and they had to get the eggs out to avoid all the follicles releasing naturally or OHSS

@Katiebooboo

No. We are on lock down down Boris just doesn't want to call it that term to avoid panic

As heartbreaking as it is for us the clinic nurses and doctors also have themselves and their families to think about. With any luck 3 weeks time the restrictions will be lifted so at the most we've lost a month. As desperate as I am to get this over with I can wait a month to give my embryos the best chance x

I wouldn’t have a problem with a month I think but my clinic director mentioned in his personal opinion as opposed to medical/ professional it would be no less than 3 month at least! I’m beyond devastated/ tired/ emotionally drained and can’t work out what have I done in life to deserve all this? It’s just soo unfair!

I'm so sorry @Katiebooboo I've looked everywhere even internationally and unless you want to go to somewhere like Australia or Turkey we are completely banned from getting treatment. It's so heartbreaking!
@Xx40yearsyoungxx ask your clinic. I definitely think it's a medical need and on Friday Care suggested it was a medical need as well but as you say, we are at the mercy of HEFA and the interpretation of clinics. I do think we should start a campaign to ensure that people including the regulatory bodies understand that we are not doing fertility treatment for fun and do actually have a medical need. Xxx

I am keeping my fingers crossed for all of you that are still going. I would definitely think that seeing your cycle through is a medical need!

@Katiebooboo
Which clinic are you with?

I think a month is the very best we can expect. It really depends on if people follow the lockdown so that the country can get a grip on this.

The clinics have staff and overheads too and they'll want to be getting back to business as soon as they can

He might have said 3 months so that it's in line with the 12 week recommendation for self isolation for pregnant women x

Aghhhh! I started estrogen for my FET just this morning. I don't know if I stop soon that it will be early enough to have not had an affect I can at least try naturally this month. No idea!

I’m also with CARE and have been stimming for a week with plan for scan Wednesday and egg removal Friday. I’m guessing this can’t go ahead now. Feeling pretty sad

The government are saying any medical need ..... do we think this is a distinction from urgent medical need or medical necessity ?
X

@Xx40yearsyoungxx if you’re a way into stims I’d think there is a medical need (surely not collecting the eggs could put you at risk?) Don’t think going to any appointment would fall foul of the new rules and is defensible but just now down to the clinic though to make the call on behalf of their staff and patients - hope you get an answer asap. As if IVF isn’t stressful enough already, you must be going out of your mind with worry! x

Just got a call and we are cancelled. I completely saw it coming so I'm not in tears but very very depressed. They have no idea of how long it will take to restart again. As my periods are unbearable and causing my iron levels to drop to really low levels I have no idea what to do the next few months. My partner is taking it very bad- he has hardly said anything since last night and I don't think he slept at all. I hope you are ok @xx40yearsyoungxx and your treatment is still going ahead.