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.

If you haven't heard it, the podcast BFN (which is v good btw) has done an interview with a director of the HFEA. Not much 'new' news, obviously she couldn't commit to a date but she heavily hinted that we're looking at weeks, not months.

Which chimes with what I've heard from a friend at ARGC who heard from them yesterday saying that they are working on restarting in the next few weeks, on the assumption that the HFEA will not be able to justify holding out once other non-urgent treatments have resumed. Apparently the ARGC has a long running feud with the HFEA and have been continuing everything but egg collection and embryo transfer throughout!

Thank you for the updates ladies, much appreciated xx

@MissHoney85
That's encouraging!

ARGC is the bootcamp expensive clinic isn't it? I imagine for them with the daily tests/scans etc it would be more difficult for them just to suspend treatment - good on them for continuing what they can though. Seems like a lot of the reaction to this pandemic has been an over reaction if you look at all those temporary new hospitals that are stood empty x

Fingers crossed this sounds positive, I was so saddened to hear on that podcast patients have attempted suicide, I cannot see how the hfea can justify their position that much longer given the lives of patients are at risk, they will have to address it. Lots of love and hugs to you all and wishes for little miracles very soon.

I had a call out of the blue this morning to book me in to discuss next steps. I sense the HFEA has issued some guidance to clinics in the last day or two.

I'm sorry to hear hear you are in so much pain @SarahDx In the past year of fertility treatments I have suffered the most awful period pains in the world. I think for some women the drugs completely confuses their cycles with unbearable pain as a result. But you should really try to call your clinic or even your GP for advice if the pain continues. Most clinics will still have some staff available to answer the phone. It may also be important information in terms of treatment in the future. I hope you feel better soon

Hi @sarahDx I'm sorry to hear you are in pain this is my first cycle after egg collection and I think I'm about to ovulate as the pain this morning was intense. As other people have said call your clinic or GP if it gets too bad don't suffer in silence.

@jcurve, Can I please ask which clinic? I am on NHS and have not heard anything from them at all...

@MissHoney85 thanks for the optimism, I need some! The not knowing has been so stressful. Hopefully if they re-open in the next couple of months, the waiting lists won't be too bad. My clinic have said I can start on my first period after they're open, so it doesn't sound like they are expecting too much of a waiting list.

@jcurve Same here. I've been chasing for news from Create and they've gone from radio silence to three emails and a call with the doctor to discuss a change in the treatment plan, despite the fact I should have started my treatment at the beginning of April. I'm taking it as a good sign. In one of the emails, they mentioned that they might not open all of their clinics.

I just spoke to my clinic (CRGW in Wales) and they told me that they are expecting further guidance from the HFEA at the end of this week following a big meeting the HFEA are holding to discuss the resumption of treatments. She did say that she was expecting it to be 1 to 2 months before treatments are allowed to resume in the uk which is frustrating to hear as last week they told me they were going to be reopen by mid May.

She also said all treatments are going to be subject to ongoing CV19 testing whenever you visit the clinic, e.g. before endo scratch, again before EC abs again before ET, so obvious nothing will be able to happen until the government gets its act in gear with testing.

@CritterTamer that's interesting. Im guessing that the CV19 testing they would do in the clinic would just be a temperature check and verbal check for other symptoms, otherwise you'd be looking at serious delays. The ESHRE guidance (which I expect we'll end up pretty much following) only says patients need to be tested if they are showing symptoms.

Everybody send to be saying different things at the moment! Fingers crossed her some more info at the end of the week 🤞

For* some more info!

@hjf84

That's interesting I rang the create patient number this morning and it's straight to voicemail so have emailed the support email as not sure if the reception staff are picking up direct emails

I'll try and call centre tomorrow If I don't hear back x

I've just heard from my clinic that they are re-starting diagnostic tests. They have also asked everyone to fill in a form with the date of their next period so they can plan for when they re-open. I'm trying not to get too hopeful but this has to be a good sign!

@ivfgottostaypositive I'd been emailing my patient coordinator every week for a month and getting no response. So I sent an email to support and heard back the next day. Turned out my coordinator has been off for a month! I've been reassigned and I've never had so much comms from them!

@HJF84
That makes sense as I emailed the patient coordinator email and had no response but just got a call back after I emailed the support one this morning - he updated the system with my likely cycle day 1 date (end of May) and just confirmed all my forms are up to date so good to go as soon as they reopen

The only thing I'm now a bit worried about is with childminders/schools being closed I may have to take DD with me for scans - she's been before when I've had no childcare just hopefully social distancing rules won't be so strict that it means I can't go (husband front line working 8-8)

I emailed my clinic (Kings) and they just said there is no update just now. And to feel free to contact them mid may for any update.

I'm sick of the waiting!!
Everyone else is just getting pregnant and popping babies out regardless.

I agree @bunhead34 it is really unfair we are seemingly being penalised just because we can't conceive without help!

@Waitingformyrainbow2020

That's what Create are arguing with the regulator apparently and also the fact that the government didn't suspend treatment it was the HFEAs decision

Hi @ivfgottostaypositive it's a good point isn't it, I've been sitting here hating the government but really it didn't come from them it was the hfea's decision well hopefully they will revise their decision and say the clinics can re open

Completely with you @bunhead34, the thing that worried me the most was that one of the reasons they gave for the initial closure was to reduce pressure on the nhs. But fertile people don't have to worry about that, it's not like the government has asked fertile people to avoid getting pregnant. Also, there will never be a time when the nhs has spare capacity for us, it will be under pressure for the foreseeable future. So I'm glad I couldn't see that given as a reason on the HFEA's new Q&A!

Create also told me that NONE of their staff were redeployed to the NHS (and that's despite two of the nurses I regularly see being former ICU nurses....) and because they only do mild IVF their rates of OHSS are virtually zero which was one of the reason I believe behind stopping treatment. To avoid potential of sending women who had IVF hospital for OHSS treatment but it's VERY rare anyway.... (I think thats why some people have been told FET will start before egg collection)