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.

Just been called from my clinic to say all treatment is cancelled until further notice. They asked me to call on the first day of my next cycle just incase they are able to start again then. Devastated 😭😭😭😭

So sorry to all of you affected so far, it’s awful!

I think it’s just a matter of time now. I’m sitting by my phone waiting for the call!

Is anyone at Care clinics? Has anyone had a call?

Thank you. I am devastated . I am going to feel this hurt for a bit then hopefully move forward. I am NHS yes. X

@SarahDx I've only just read your post I'm sorry you must be feeling awful, don't know how they can justify not completing your treatment. What difference would one day make!! Thoughts are with you xxxxxx

I'm so sorry to hear about the cancellations. My clinic is part of Care but uses the facilities of the local hospital. I've just got a message that at the moment they are monitoring the situation but currently it is business as usual (apart from having extra health screenings). In terms of payments they say that if your treatment has to be cancelled you keep your previous payments as credit until your treatment can be rescheduled. So the only thing you might have to buy again is the medicine (if you have used some of it or it has gone out of date). It's still such a big gamble and I'm still expecting it to be cancelled but started taking the pill today. If I had been younger and had better blood levels then I would definitely wait. Now I feel I don't have a choice apart from hoping for the best xxx

They advised me that they'd received guidance to not getting people pregnant at the moment. In addition to staff being needed elsewhere. I'm just hoping it's not too long, no more than three months I hope. Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone xx

I’m at UCLH in London. Finished down regulation and day 2 of cycle today.
Went in for my baseline scan and to start my stimulation.

They didn’t do my scan, and told me they are cancelling me.
European guidelines says no transfers but ok to continue stimulation and freeze.
I said we were planning on freezing batching anyway as my AMH is sooo low for my age - 5.6 at age 33.
They said despite that they will still not go ahead.

I requested to go private and they said they couldn’t give me any of my notes to facilitate that.

The consultant was the most unempathetic doctor I have ever come across.

I am absolutely gutted. Trying now for two years and Coronavirus may delay all fertility treatment for 6 months by which point the consultant looking after me (different to the one I saw today) said I wouldn’t have any eggs left in 6 months....

I received a call from Guys ACU this morning too they said they will still see me for a consultation but no treatment will be started for the foreseeable future. I'm not NHS, I would've been self funded (also paying extra for the personalised care plan!) feeling so angry and frustrated right now and of course it's not the hospital's fault but for people who are being told you have to wait to be helped to have a baby it can't be good for you. This Coronavirus is not only gunna affect people physically but it's gunna leave a lasting mental affect too unfortunately.

@LondonIVF12 ring up the reception and ask for the form to request your medical notes. When I got mine, they gave me an email address I had to write to with my name, DOB and NHS number and for me to detail what exactly I wanted copying. Then then posted the notes out to me. They have to respond to you within 21 days, your doc today is an arse you most definitely can have your notes.

If you pick your private clinic today and request an appointment, hopefully you'll get your NHS notes in time.

@LondonIVF12 I know it’s so disheartening. The waiting and the uncertainty is awful. I really don’t think the consultant can say you won’t have any. Always have hope ! I am 31 and my number was 3.5. Through egg retrieval I got 6 and at least 3 are the top quality for freezing ! Nothing is definite right now. Stay strong and keep loved ones close.

@LondonIVF12 I'm so sorry to hear your news. I just read the European guidelines and I think it will effect all the clinics. I'm in the same position as you with a low AMH and I'm feeling the horror of having to wait especially 6 months. I'm not sure why your consultant said that you wouldn't have any eggs left as 5.6 is not that low and there are many more women that have much lower levels and still have great results (especially aged below 35). It feels so unfair that women needing fertility treatment will not receive any help or clarity as to when we can try again- for our mental health this is an absolute disaster. Take care everyone xxx

All clinics in Ireland closed. If anyone is mod cycle they’ll collect but no transfers. Can’t catch a break with this IVF at all hope you’re all doing ok with the disappointment. I’m on the gin

Ohhh god🥺 its not looking good 😔 ive started downreg and supposed to stim next week. Havent heard from my clinic yet...
Its an actual nightmare😔

Sorry ladies to hear this! I’m in this situation too.
I WAS doing a FET cycle - due for scan next week and transfer after that. cancelled. All because somebody ate a bloody bat. You couldn’t make it up!!

I do understand saving lives must come first, but selfishly I feel totally heartbroken. It’s so frustrating! My dh said it’s also annoying as while we’ve been doing this process, it’s stolen a good few months of trying naturally too - not that that has worked!! I hate there’s no new start date as well, but yes I do understand the unpredictable nature of current events. Understanding it doesn’t make it any easier!

I’m trying to look on the bright side...this would be a worrying time to be pregnant etc.
I would be interested to know if any transfers are going ahead? Does HFEA only issue for NHS or must private clinics follow this guidance too?

@Matilda128 do you have a link to the European guidelines? I’m currently down regging for FET but seems almost certain than cycle will be cancelled after the announcement today. I haven’t heard from clinic yet and am due to open a new bottle of buserelin tomorrow am (which I’ll need to use before the clinic opens). Thinking of just stopping down reg now as I’d rather not waste a new bottle!

Can anyone link me to the european guidelines please?

@lemongrass1 you can find it here: www.eshre.eu/ I do think ultimately it is HEFA rather than European Guidelines that the clinics in England will follow- and HEFA follows government regulations. The fact that pregnant women have just been placed in with the vulnerable group is also not good news for us. However I'm not sure you should stop your medication without consulting your clinic. You might be able to do a freeze all cycle. I'm sorry to hear about the position your in- good luck xxx

HEFA: www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-press-releases/2020-news-and-press-releases/hfea-coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/

What is frustrating for me is that there is no conclusive data on the risks but they don't think there are any at all. The decision is made out of precaution. No one takes into account the damage to mental health and the fact that some women may loose their last chance to have a child. This corona virus is an absolute disaster in so many ways xxx

I spoke to my clinic today and they said at present they are running a full service and there is no indication they are going to close.

I’m sure in the long run this could change. But if it does let’s all hope that it is just a couple of months and we can all get back to where we are now.

@Daisy11111
You’re really lucky if it does go ahead!
Don’t want to ask you to reveal too many personal details, but is that private and if so which group? I don’t know if I can wait 6 months or longer til all this clears up?!

I'm with Create and I spoke to them today as due to start final egg collection of a 3 cycle package with a transfer at the end of it in a week or so - they've said it's business as usual

If you catch the virus or have to self isolate before collection they'll cancel but won't charge abandoned cycle fees

If you catch the virus or have to self isolate before transfers they'll freeze for free and transfer when things have improved

I’m exactly the same as @itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted. If I get any symptoms then it’s game over.

I also think with time my clinic will cancel me but for now I needed the optimism of the response to my email today. If I can just get to egg collection I’ll be happy.

I’m with Care But I am NHS funded.

It’s just crazy, me and my partner are also JUST about to exchange on our first house . . . this stupid disease could also kill that dream too!

@Matilda128 I’m having a frozen embryo transfer hence why I’m pretty certain it won’t go ahead now. Plus it’s a NHS clinic so even less likely than people going privately I suspect. I think I have one last dose left to take for tomorrow am in old bottle but I guess the Buserelin isn’t that expensive if I have to open a new bottle. Seems a bit of a waste though. Guess I should be grateful I hadn’t started the lubion etc which is incredibly expensive. I just have to hope I can start again before it all expires, otherwise that’s another 1k down the drain ☹️ Feel like time is ticking away, I’ll be 41 soon... So frustrating

The issue is also now pregnant women have been moved into the vulnerable category and told to self isolate for 12 weeks so if this cycle for me does make it to transfer next month and it works I could have to stay home for 3 months 🤷‍♀️

Has anyone spoken to their clinic post government stance tonight ? Given the 12 week isolation for pregnant women I’m not sure clinics will be allowed to do the transfer ?

I’m also nearly 41 so time is crucial for me .

It’s all so stressful

X