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.

Yeah, they won't seem to allow us to go with NHS funding with him smoking though. All our tests came back fine except his SA showed 1% morphology which they say isn't a big deal but I'm not 100% sure on that

@Xx40yearsyoungxx to go back to your question about my new clinic and short protocol - I actually had a consultation with a UK private clinic who also advised short protocol. In the end we decided not to go with them and to have treatment in Spain. I spoke to two Spanish clinics, both suggested with my predicted response to do short protocol, it seems to be more used there.
They also both suggested due to my low AMH (2 last time it was measured) to do egg harvesting, and freeze the eggs before creating embryos. I was a bit dubious but decided to trust them, their results are good and I find their approach is designed to get the best result, even if it puts you through the wringer a bit more!
I've had more scans than I can remember and never had an issue with lining on short protocol, though if there were I'm sure there are drugs that can help.
My last cycle they actually started stims after ovulation as they have been trying this out and getting good results.
I didn't get to egg collection due to coronavirus but I was responding really well, I have never had more than 5 eggs collected previously but had 11 promising follicles and 3 small ones they didn't expect to get eggs from.
I will say my antral follicle count at the start of my cycle does vary, and for my next egg collection I'm not prepared to start stims unless it is on the higher side (for me), even if it means waiting a month. If it is on the lower side a few months in a row then I'll accept maybe it's my age (same as you if your user name is a clue!) and go for it.
My last cancelled egg collection was after several months on and off testosterone treatment too so not sure how much (or if) that helped. I have a phone appointment next week so will see what the plan is.
I'm balancing severe impatience to get started with caution and trying to be zen...oh and the small matter of travelling to Spain!

@JeNeBaguetteRien- your clinic seems really good in Spain - and leading the way trialing stims so early ( makes sense tho when you think about it) . I take it you are going to trial this again ?

It’s interesting that Uk/Spain both thought short protocol would be best for you when it appears a lot default to long protocol.
I’ve emailed my clinic to say when they start back up I would prefer to try SP - but haven’t heard back yet.

I keep checking to see any updates for official openings but don’t suppose we will know until after the 11th ?

Do people think that behind the scenes they are applying to HFEA now so they can open up immediately after the 11th, or do you think there will be another delay while they sort through the applications before clinics get the go ahead to start treatments ?

@Xx40yearsyoungxx mine have said they are hoping to open at some point during the week of the 11th 🤞

🤞🏻 🤞🏻

Create have also said it will be sometime next week - just waiting for their website to be updated with what measures they'll have in place and how it will work.

My next cycle day 1 is around 2-3 weeks away still so hoping we can start then x

@Xx40yearsyoungxx yes I will be trialling again the mid-cycle stimulation.

They actually offer back to back egg collections where you start stims 2 data after the first egg collection, they said they had had very good results with this approach, but I wasn't in a position to stay for such a long time in Spain. So they offered as a possibility starting stims mid cycle without having just done egg collection and found that it also worked well for many patients.

Is it possible your clinic are pushing long protocol as that's just what they do? One of the things I like about the clinic in Spain is their willingness to try new approaches, but short protocol is hardly new, and I found long protocol as the name suggests so bloody long!

Spoke to NHS clinic today they said be awhile before they open as there department been used for covid. They having meeting today to sort policy and safety out. They also said frozen cycles will go first as they need to be at hospital less. They also said to ring them every cycle so they can keep track and not to be missed feel abit back to square once again xxx

@Hoping1 which area are you in if you don't mind me asking? I'm trying to hold off speaking to my clinic as I'd rather wait a couple weeks and hopefully get a better picture then.

North East area they were lovely on phone felt good talking to them but it just wanting but totally understand why it is everyone needs to be safe xxx

Do your clinics think they will proceed with FET and iui first?

@mabel92 they just said frozen will go first to me. My period 18th so will ring then hopefully find out more then.

Hi everyone,

Great news from the HFEA about restarting treatment. Just hope they process the applications quickly.

Here is the update from my clinic - Leeds Fertility.

Doesn't sound like they expect it to happen very quickly, but sounds like they are prepared. Would love to know how long their waiting list is and how quickly they expect to be able to start everyone again? Might ring them tomorrow.

Wishing everyone the best of luck with this. I've found a lot of comfort on this forum. It's true that people who haven't been through this just don't get it, so it has been really useful to be able to connect with you all.

X

@mabel92 my clinic said they are going to do frozen transfers and IUIs first as fresh cycles carry more risk of burdening the NHS (ie because of OHSS). Disappointing for me, as I'm doing a fresh cycle. I think they are also prioritising patients who had started fresh cycles and had them cancelled, but I don't fall into that group as I was going to start on my next cycle. 😔 I'm planning on calling when each period starts though to hassle them and remind them I exist! Always pays to be a bit proactive I think.

@MissHoney85 what area are you in x

Do we know anything for NHS clinics? That's my first bit but I don't have an appointment until October and I assume this will change if they aren't open...

@Pinkbunny2811 I think it very much depends on your clinic.

My clinic is NHS and Private but has it's own unit in a separate medical facility near the hospital.

HFEA have said that NHS patients should not be disadvantaged. Fertility Network UK have a pod cast with someone like the chief executive of the HFEA. It gave a clearer explanation.

I aspire to my private clinic (CRGW in Wales) again yesterday and they said they are hoping to restart treatment planning consultations, etc. by the end of May, FETs mid June, and fresh cycles mid July.

Spoke to*

@Hoping1 I'm near Woking

I am with NHS clinic, they are giving me very vague response. When I sent an e-mail asking, they replied and said that they are working on varies methods to ensure patient safety but have not yet restarted. But when I called, the receptionist then said it prob won't happen until after lock down... but at the same time telling me that a nurse will contact me when it is my turn. I am feeling a bit deflated. It's really hard not to be able to plan..

I just had a conversation with my clinic – Leeds Fertility. They are amazing.

They confirmed they have to prove they have measures in place to respect social distancing measures and protect patients and staff. One example of this is spacing out beds in the recovery ward for after egg collection.

They are “working on plans at the moment” and expect they’ll be able to start actual treatments after 18th May. As you would expect they have “a bit of a backlog” and “anticipate they will only be able to start slowly”, but they are being very proactice, ringing all patients “in chronological order” to make plans to start their treatment.

For me, I’m on a long protocol, so need to have 3 weeks of down regulation which I start on day 21 of my cycle. Looking at the calendar day 21 is this Saturday. That’s too soon, but they would be happy to start me next month which is around 6th June. Wow! I wasn’t expecting that. They said they were confident they would be able to do this, as the long protocol takes approx 8 weeks so that would mean egg collection at the end of July.

Before Covid, I’d spent 6 months preparing with chinese herbs, acupuncture, ubiquinol and healthy eating and losing weight. Since treatment got cancelled I stopped acupuncture (had to as she had been furloughed), reduced the ubiquinol and have enjoyed a few drinks here and there and loads of pizza and other rubbish. I’ve been pretty unhealthy to be honest, as I expect most people have, and I’ve put a stone back on which I now need to lose again. Regretting it now.

So we’ve agreed I’ll start on my July day 21, which is around 6th July, which means egg collection at the beginning of August. That gives us 3 months to prepare....again. And hopefully my acupuncturist will be back at work so I can start having weekly acupuncture again. Definitely need that throughout the treatment.

Really excited now!!

Hope you all have similar conversations and hope this slight delay doesn’t make any difference at all and we all go home with our babies in our arms next year.

ps. I had already started my down reg before covid and was on day 5 when it got cancelled. So I have my box of drugs ready and waiting at home. Plus I'm 42 in September. So think they are prioritising us oldies xx

Just to update on DHEA ordering incase of interest to anyone else.

I previously ordered my supply from pricespower.com. It took 2 weeks to arrive pre-covid. They sell MRM Micronized DHEA 25mg - which is the recommended form. If you are not in a hurry for your delivery I would recommend. Now with covid they said could be up to 4 weeks. The cost was $62 ($40 shipping to UK). There is a small risk your parcel will be seized by customs as pricespower cannot guarantee customs will let the 'medicine' through.

I ordered from Biovea the other week, their UK site. They stock the same brand as sold on pricespower.com. They quote delivery in 5-7 days. However - when I track the order it has been processed but not shipped for over one week now. No-one at Biovea replies to emails/online help chat/twitter. I do not recommmend.

Now - this week I have discovered a London clinic that stocks and ships DHEA Fertinatal tablets.
Fertinatal is the US brand that uses the same form of DHEA used in the fertility trials and the only one endorsed officially for fertility. The Fertinatal website however does not sell to the UK.
However this clinic in London stocks DHEA Fertinatal tablets and ships to UK addresses in 2-3 days!
For those who want to get it quickly/not risk customs i recommend this. The only downside is it is more expensive at 100 pounds.

Ha, sorry forgot to include clinic name.

It is Harley Street Fertility Clinic

www.hsfc.org.uk