FAQs for COVID-19 and fertility
Here are the commonly asked questions when it comes to COVID-19 and your fertility
When will IVF clinics reopen?
We are restarting fertility treatment and IVF as quickly as possible. The Government announcement made on Tuesday, 21 April 2020 means that IVF and elective procedures can start from 27th April 2020. As a result, we can start the stimulation for IVF immediately.
We know our patients have been awaiting this decision and support lifting the suspension of IVF. Our clinics and day hospitals are ready and open for business. You can book a virtual appointment with one of our fertility specialists or one of our counsellors via Zoom.
How quickly can I restart IVF?
We want to start all of our patients as soon as they are ready. However, we need to give all of our patients the best chance of success and will not compromise our normal standards of care by taking on too many patients at once. If we do find that we cannot meet everyone’s needs straight away, we will give priority to those of our patients who are short of time.
If you are an existing patient of IVFAustralia and wish to start IVF, contact us on 1800 111 483 and we will do our best to get you started.
If I am a new patient, how soon can I start treatment?
The first step is to meet with your fertility specialist who will guide you on the best approach to starting fertility treatment. If IVF is the right approach for you (and this is not always the case) you specialist will help get you started. Appointments with an IVFAustralia specialist can be booked by calling 1800 111 483 to book an appointment.
If I don’t already have an IVFA specialist, can I access free advice from one of the IVFA specialists?
Yes. One of our specialists is available every day to talk to you on the phone to give you advice about your options, with no charge to you.
How safe is it to visit an IVFAustralia clinic?
In Australia, the daily infection rate is slowing and the number of new cases in the community is low so now is the right time to resume fertility treatment. Your safety and the safety of our staff and doctors remains our number one priority. We have introduced increased infection control and hygiene measures to make sure that our clinics will be as safe as it’s possible to be, including:
- Enforcement of social distancing rules in clinics and laboratories
- Protective equipment for staff and doctors
- Cleaning of consult rooms following every patient
- Temperature checks for everyone entering our facilities
- The continuation of Zoom and tele-consults where appropriate
Available evidence shows that the highest risk of the transmission of COVID-19 happens at home. If you or any member of your household are feeling unwell or displaying any symptoms, no matter how mild, we ask you to please refrain from coming to our facilities and self-isolate.
What happens if I test positive to COVID-19 while in treatment?
If you test positive for COVID-19 you will be required to self-isolate and this may result in a pause in your fertility or IVF treatment, depending on what stage you are at. Your doctor will advise on what steps need to be taken to ensure your safety and the safety of our staff and fellow patients.
Current research on COVID-19 and its effects on fertility is limited. However, the results are reassuring with no evidence of mother-to-baby transmission during pregnancy. The available evidence does not suggest any serious consequences for fetal development, newborn babies, or women in pregnancy.
Our advice is low-risk patients going through assisted reproduction (such as IVF) are unlikely to be at any higher risk of complications than anyone else in the population.
Does COVID-19 affect pregnancies?
Current research on COVID-19 and its effects on fertility is limited. However, the results are reassuring with no evidence of mother-to-baby transmission during pregnancy. The available evidence does not suggest any serious consequences for fetal development, newborn babies, or women in pregnancy.
Our advice is low-risk patients going through assisted reproduction (such as IVF) are unlikely to be at any higher risk of complications than anyone else in the population.
Can COVID-19 affect my embryos in the lab?
Our embryos are incubated in sterile protected continuous time lapse incubators. As a result, they are not exposed to the risk of droplet spread at any time of their incubation period in the laboratory.
Will doctors and clinic staff wear protective equipment?
Yes, we have introduced increased hygiene and infection control protocols for our teams and patients which includes wearing protective gear where appropriate. The risk of transmission within our facilities is very low. However, the safety of our patients, staff and doctors is our number one priority and we will take every precaution in our clinics and laboratories.
How can I social distance when going through IVF treatment?
We will manage our staff and patient volumes carefully to minimise waiting room congestion and ensure social distancing rules can be adhered to. Our fertility specialists will continue to utilise Zoom virtual appointments where possible.
However, there are certain procedures where social distancing is not possible, such as egg collection, embryo transfer, blood tests and scans. In these instances the use of protective equipment will be implemented.
What should I do if I start feeling sick or show symptoms of COVID-19?
If you or any member of your household are feeling unwell or displaying any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should self-isolate immediately and contact your clinic or nursing team for further instructions.
I’m interested in becoming a sperm or egg donor, are you still accepting new donors at this time?
Yes we are. Call us on 1800 111 483 and we’ll be delighted to talk further.
I want to find out more about surrogacy?
If you are thinking about surrogacy, we recommend you book a consultation with a fertility specialist online via video conferencing. To request a video consult please call 1800 111 483.
You will need a valid referral from a GP. For video conferencing you will need a suitable computer and internet connection.
Should I get a flu vaccine?
Yes, flu shots are recommended for people wanting to conceive and pregnant women. Talk to your specialist today about getting a free flu shot.
What support services is IVFAustralia providing at this time?
We’re here to help any patients with support and care during this challenging time. In addition to our specialist doctors, nurses and administration staff – who are all able to talk you through any concerns related to COVID-19, our team of counsellors are here for support and advice. Contact us on 1800 111 483 to find out about video or phone consultations.
Pregnant? We address the common concerns.
How does COVID-19 affect pregnancy?
The current research available on COVID-19 and its effects on fertility is limited; the number of pregnant women who have contracted COVID-19 and have subsequently delivered is small. However the results are reassuring, including no evidence of mother-to-baby transmission during pregnancy.
Currently available evidence does not suggest serious consequences for baby development, newly born or women in pregnancy. However, as the situation is still emerging, these results require cautious optimism.
Our advice is unaffected: low risk patients going through assisted reproduction (such as IVF) are unlikely to be at any higher risk of complications than anyone else in the population.
We recognise that women who are in the early stages of pregnancy will be experiencing worry and anxiety at this time.
Advice from RANZCOG (the leading organisation dedicated to doctors who specialise in pregnancy and childbirth) state: pregnant women do not appear to be more severely unwell if they develop COVID-19 infection than the general population. It is expected that the large majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu like symptoms.
I’m pregnant, should I be worried about COVID-19?
The current recommendations from RANZCOG are reassuring and state:
“At this time, pregnant women do not appear to be more severely unwell if they develop COVID-19 infection than the general population. It is expected that the large majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu like symptoms.”
I’m pregnant, can I pass COVID-19 to my unborn baby?
Reassuringly, so far research has shown that COVID-19 is not passed from mother to baby. There is no evidence of mother-to-baby transmission during pregnancy.
I’m pregnant, if I get COVID-19 am I at a higher risk of miscarriage?
Reassuringly, advice from the leading organisation (RANZCOG) dedicated to doctors (obstetricians) who specialise in pregnancy and childbirth state: for women who are trying to conceive, or who are in early pregnancy, there is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage with COVID-19.
I’m pregnant, how do I protect myself from COVID-19?
We understand you are worried and there is lot of information to understand, please make sure you take your advice from trusted sources, such as Government Health Departments.
Follow their social distancing guidelines and stay at home; if you can work from home do so and if possible avoid public transport.
Ensure you wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Continue focusing on your health, eat healthily, moderate exercise and ensure you are getting enough sleep.
IVFAustralia wants to support you during this time, we have a number of online courses, online patient leaflets, videos and blogs to help you with a variety of fertility subjects, available on our website and on our Facebook and instagram accounts.