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.

I’ve heard nothing today. I don’t know whether to get in contact or not.

I am starting Tuesday hasn't heard otherwise yet xxx

I haven't heard anything either. We are going to ring the clinic on Monday. I start taking the pill on Monday- this would be cycle three and normally at this stage things start to feel real. Now this all feels like a weird nightmare. Xxx

@lucyinthe
I’m in a similar situation to you. I’m doing a FET cycle too as after egg collection I was at risk of ohss so didn’t do fresh cycle. That was back in November.
Recovered, Christmas break and waiting on period and here we are. I’ve had down reg and started progynova. Scan in a week’s time and then ET should be a few days or week after I think. Or will it?!
Just worried I’m going to be told to stop meds. And then I guess it would be back to waiting!!
I understand people might die and ivf is non-urgent, but it’s so frustrating! My cycle hasn’t been cancelled yet - I hate to sound negative, but I feel like it might.
Anyone got any insider info on what hospital departments will be hit and how much protection for treatment cycles that have started? wishful thinking

Hi @LemonRabbit yes sounds like you've been in the awful limbo similar to me. I've felt like my life's been on hold for the last 2 years whilst we've been TTC and having investigations and now this will just prolong things even further.

I heard on the news earlier that NHS in Wales have cancelled all non-emergency operations so I guess if England follow suit our appointments would be cancelled too? Unless you're in a private clinic obviously.

Just a waiting game now, I'm trying to stop reading too much news as it's making me really depressed, side effects from the buserelin are not helping with that!

@lucyinthe
Totally agree with what you said about putting your life on hold. We’re just over 2 years TTC. I was doing a lot of running, but don’t enter races any more/only do light short runs/walks now and the amount of holidays we’ve not booked...“we wouldn’t want to go there if I was 8 months pregnant!” and the amount of weird excuses I’ve had to give for not drinking?! It all sounds minor but it all impacts. I’ve even avoided seeing certain friends that I know will be ask, Do you think you’ll have children? The answer “Maybe one day!” with a smile has turned into “Maybe? One day?” And try not to cry! Some friends are now having their second child, while I’m still trying to have one! No point comparing though...different journeys...it’s just frustrating with hold ups and thinking I’m another few months older...and another few...

I’m on the nhs in Scotland - I imagine they’ll be in line with the other health authorities within a few days.
I’m trying to not think about it too much as well...we have no control over it.
This is my first cycle. I feel like as soon as I get over one hurdle/physical problem/emotion, another one steps up!
Fingers crossed for you...hope it goes ahead

I had a nurse appt at my clinic (it's private but accepts nhs too) yesterday to discuss meds for my FET. If it doesn't get cancelled should be transfer 7th April onwards. I don't know what my mental health will be like if it gets cancelled. I guess they'll try and stay open as long as it's safe to as they need money coming in.

I’m currently in my first cycle, started Buserilin this week. Freaked out on Thursday morning that we might be cancelled due to Coronavirus.

Friday morning my clinic called and said if we have any symptoms there is a risk of cancelling. But if not we should be fine. So to just stay safe.

My biggest concern is we are NHS funded and if we are cancelled that would be our funding over 😭.

I’ve gone crazy with the hygiene!! And I’m just refusing to leave the house.

I was at Guys yesterday and other than the signs on the door, nothing was said. I wasn't called beforehand, not asked to wash hands or anything! Trigger tonight and collection Monday, so hoping not to get ill by then, and ideally not ill before they put them back in!

I’m also really worried
First try at IVF and age against me. Half way through nasal spray down regulation ..... so panicked that they are going to delay / stop the process.

Hopefully there will be more information for those of us who have already started . Has anyone else spoken to their clinic today ?

..... forgot to say , hoping for egg collection w/c 6th April

I'm not sure whether to call my clinic or not tomorrow. In South Wales and aware that they confirmed Friday that non-urgent outpatient appointments and operations were being postponed but not sure if this extends to ivf. I had my egg collection 10 days ago and 2 embryos frozen. I'm sure that it is meant to be next cycle but I know sometimes they don't always wait to have a full cycle before FET. A part of me feels selfish because I get that the country is in a crisis but then they did say I should hear from them last week about next steps and I never did. I also just want to know really if they are postponing if there is any plan really. I mean how long can they actually postpone for?

@jodesxx definitely call them. You need to know one way or the other.

Yes @jodesxx call them today. Good luck xx

Unfortunately all cycles are being cancelled until further notice. They have said it's because nurses will be needed elsewhere and guidance is not to try and get people pregnant at the moment. They can't say for how long either :'( they said that there will be people on phones to speak to if an update is wanted but feel it's probably going to be a very long delay. Gutted is an understatement as nothing ever seems to go our way but at least we have two Frosties and health and the NHS is more important at the moment I suppose. DP was expecting this so he has surprised me with a kitten which is lovely and collecting him tonight. At least that will keep me occupied for a while!!

@jodesxx what area are you in xxxx

I was at Guys today for egg retrieval. They did say that IF they are advised, then they might need to do frozen cycle later on, rather than fresh this week, but no plans for shutting as yet. When I came out of theatre, the waiting room was full, so didn't look like they are slowing down still seeing patients.

@Hoping1 I'm South Wales and nhs. They announced on Friday about delaying non-essential appointments, treatment and operations.and don't think other parts of UK have done that.

@jodesxx I’m so sorry about your news, do you know if this is just your clinic or did they say all clinics across the UK? I haven’t heard anything!!

Anyone else spoken to their clinics ?
I’m waiting to hear

Hi everyone, just wanted to share my experience. I have a lot of support around me but feel the need to reach out to people in the same boat as me. I had my egg retrieval 11/03/2020 at Glasgow RI. On long protocol managed to retrieve 6 eggs, 5 fertilised - so far so good! Transfer day meant to be today 16/03/2020 but I have just been told that the hospital will no longer be going g forward with IVF procedures due to the level of risk involved and the unknown of CORONAVIRUS! I am absolutely devastated. 3 years trying, A year and a half of appointments and this was the last hurdle ! So they are going to freeze 3 of my embryos and are keeping an eye on the other 2 for the next 24 hours ! I understand they are taking precautions but how ethical is it to leave me at this stage ??? What about my mental health ? Other People won’t stop getting pregnant through this time and lucky them. I feel so cheated to get to this stage and it being taken from me but trying to see the positive in 3 frozen embryos. They have said they do not know when they will be up and running again. But going by the news I just can’t see it being anytime soon :,( After getting my body and mind ready I am so heartbroken. One thing needed for infertility - patience !! The wait continues.

In case this is useful: I was due to start treatment at Guy's with my next period in a week or so but have just had a call to say it's been cancelled, which I was expecting. They said the hospital had been advised to stop all non-urgent or non-essential treatment. I'm so sorry for everyone going through this – sending lots of love and strength. x

It’s horrendous and @SarahDx it doesn’t seem ethical at all

I know it’s a tiny consolation but at least you have some to freeze .... I think mine will he stopped before egg collection!

Are you NHS ?

My heart goes out to you x

Hi ladies, I know it’s a long shot but is anyone about to start IVF in London this week at any of the private hospitals? If so are you still planning on going ahead?