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.

@Nmvasey good luck with your treatment. I haven’t had a covid test...yet (not been told I’ll need to have one yet either). I had to sign a form to confirm nobody I live with had any symptoms.

Hi @Nmvasey my clinic is in Spain, I'll also need tests during treatment. All patients to have an antibody test and then be tested before they give the go ahead for egg collection.

@Waitingformyrainbow2020
Thank you for the information about the new ways clinics are working, it’s a bit nerve wracking not knowing what to expect when/if I finally get to that stage. Good luck in your TWW, this can be a difficult part of the journey so be extra kind to yourself during this time.
@Nmvasey The waiting to hear from your clinic is hard too, fingers crossed you will hear soon and can start to prepare.

Hi everyone

I just spoke to our clinic - appointment via video link still going ahead for the end of the month
They said then will be booked for another appointment ( may be video link again) but said that as they had to stop cycles there is obviously a list so may be a wait to start treatment.

I can't help but feel that there are going to be even more delays and feel disappointed. I hope this isn't the case but it does feel like disappointment after disappointment with this whole journey

@moneyonmymind I feel your pain.
Which clinic are you with?

I had a follow up with my consultant a month ago, and he said I could have fet in June. But now I've not heard any more for a month and they just fob me off when I call.
And it's too late for June cycle now. Wondering if we will even get July 😭
So disappointing!

Has anyone switched clinics to move things on faster?
I'm thinking about looking into it, but we paid for the full package - including the fet we are waiting for, I doubt they will give any money back and then there's the cost of moving the embryos. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Yes, I also feel your pain. Last month I was told by my clinic they would contact me once they had permission from the nhs trust to go ahead with treatment, but they didn’t and I know they have started treatments now with other people so they must have permission now.
So I’m now waiting for my period (always waiting for something during this process!!) as I’m going to ring and harass them for some answers once I’m day 1 of my cycle as they have taken my money so now I want the service I have paid for - not too much to ask is it?!!

@bunhead34 we are with Hammersmith (Wolfston clinic) they were really helpful today and it was easy to get through, but when I spoke with her to confirm the appointment via video link she said about delays - there have been so many already I had really set myself up for July 😢😢😢
@PositiveThinkerAlways it does always feel like there are delays, we have so many delays through no fault of our own( surgery non related/ vaccinations needed) and finally we got to egg collection and then COVID

We are nhs ( which I am very grateful for)so I can't help but think that the waits are even longer. Really feel for you both - it just takes over your life doesn't it !!!!!

You ladies are right about the delays. Can't even get the SA analysis booked until Monday cause they couldn't be bothered to process the referral until today

Hope you all get some good news soon!

@Pinkbunny2811 what clinic are you with? If I remember correctly once they had that back ( the last thing they waited for) we did get our refferal quite quickly. I have seen lots of posts that people have started treatment again - I really hope there aren't any delays for you XX

@moneyonmymind it's at Guys at Waterloo. It's not even that close to me but obv the closest place to do it. I have an appointment in October with my local nhs trust though so who knows

My clinic are telling me now I have to pay
£750 freezing charge. First they have mentioned it today!
Has anyone else had this after being changed to freeze all??

@bunhead34
That’s awful news, and to tell you at such a late stage sounds very unethical. I would have thought that all costs should be explained upfront before you agree to them. But I was asked to have an investigative procedure without telling me the cost then had to pay £300 for it. I was quite cross but desperate to start the cycle do just paid up without a word. It’s just awful isn’t it.
Unfortunately I’ve never got to the freezing stage in previous cycles so I don’t know how the costings work but I’m sorry this has happened to you.

@bunhead34 the plan for me has always been FET but I have had other additional costs due to coronavirus.

My clinic (abroad) requires a coronavirus antibody test and then tests there to see if I have active coronavirus.

I've also had to pay for new medication and will need new ultrasounds here in the UK.

With the cost of blood tests and ultrasounds, plus the antibodies tests I've spent about an extra £1.5k (so far!).

I can understand you haven't asked for a freeze all but if they are going to incur costs it is logical they will pass them on to patients, and unfortunately not a lot we can do. Maybe you could negotiate a better price than their usual one?

Hi all, hope it’s ok to jump on here for some advice.
Found out that the clinic near me is now open for new referrals from Monday which is great. I’m getting some more up to date bloods done by my GP next week but they also need OH to have SA which he has a referral from the GP for. When he’s called up to book it they said they aren’t doing this at the moment and have no idea when they will be starting tests again 🙁. How are we meant to get referred if we don’t have this? He did have a test 2 years ago but my GP says he’ll need a more up to date one. Feels a bit like there’s no way to move forward at this point.

@Banoffeepie91 keep calling daily. I know it's a pain but at least if they open then you'll be one of the first in.

@bunhead34 that's really unprofessional to not tell you sooner. Unfortunately I think loads of people are going to lose money in this sort of scenario :( just adds to how hard this is.

Hello, how are you all getting on? I’m in the process of getting booked in for my treatment which is exciting. I’ve got a question though. Can I still proceed with my treatment if I’ve only had one MMR vaccine (when I was a baby, 1993)? Do most clinics accept that or will I need a 2nd? I’m scared to ask as I’m scared the answer will push me back more. Thanks.

@mabel9 that’s really exciting, good luck! I’ve been told that before I have any treatment I have to have a blood test to confirm I have the rubella antibodies in my system. The doctor said that sometimes even if people had the vaccine when they were a child they don’t always still have the antibodies so may need another jab if the blood test comes back saying they are not there.

This rubella thing really annoys me. Most trusts have stopped testing women who are pregnant for their rubella status. I get the risks of catching rubella whilst pregnant but it makes me really upset that people that don't have fertility treatment don't need to worry about it where as for us it's just another thing to add to the long list we have to deal with. Rant over, sorry.

Hi @Pinkbunny2811 I hear your frustrations, it is very annoying. I’m scared by not having the 2nd booster they will say I have to wait longer for my iui.

@mabel9 absolutely. Tick that box as well as quickly as possible!

I've had a bit of a win today. Finally got an appointment for next Tuesday for SA :) then I'll pester GP every day for results 😂

Hi everyone

I just had the appointment cancelled for the end of the month - I had spoken with them last week and they said it would be via video link so I am trying to get through

With rubella I had delays last year and had to have another vaccination and then wait for 2-3 months

The obstacles are overwhelming it feels like we will never get there

@moneyonmymind That is awful news. Why did they cancel your appointment? Is your clinic actually doing treatments at the moment?

@Pinkbunny2811 Good news about your SA - every little success is one worth celebrating on this journey!

@mabel92 Good luck with your treatment - hope all goes well and is as smooth as is possible with this journey. It must be nice to get started - scary but exciting times ahead for you I hope.

@banoffeepie91

My clinic also asked for evidence of rubella but i said I was having trouble getting hold of the confirmation I had done a few years back once when I had a measles like rash but they agreed to go ahead anyway

I don't know why they asked when I was on my 5th egg collection - they never asked before for cycles 1-4

@mabel92 I've continued your helpful thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/3939983-Coronavirus-and-fertility-clinics-2