Coronavirus and Assisted Reproduction: Next steps

We continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 with good judgement, common sense and always prioritizing the health and safety of our patients and society in general. The fundamental factor in achieving this is information, the key to defining the best way to act and respond to the uncertainty that may arise regarding the combination of coronavirus and assisted reproduction.

For this reason, as you know, we are keeping you up to date of all developments in this situation and how this health alert can affect your process, because you have our full support and involvement to offer you all the tools available, always in accordance with the health authorities’ recommendations.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) states:

The guidance expects that clinics will now be working towards suspending treatments and we are aware that many clinics have already decided to not start any new treatment cycles. We also support the BFS/ARCS call to clinics, in both the private sector and the NHS, to consider their wider responsibilities when making local decisions, including the need to promote social distancing and the potential effects of their work on local NHS services. It is vital that the NHS is not burdened at this time by common complications of IVF such as OHSS.

Given the circumstances and adhering to this recommendation, we have opened to answer any questions that may arise in this regard. You can also find constantly updated information on our corporate channels, where, in addition, you can share with us any questions or concerns, which we will respond to as quickly as possible.

For the foreseeable future there are several treatments that will be postponed until further notice until the government confirm it is ok to resume them:

• We will not be advising new or existing patients to start ovarian stimulation.
• We will not be advising patients to undergo embryo transfers, and egg collections.

Above all, we would like to thank you for your trust at this time and we remind you that in our FAQs you can find answers to some of the most common questions about coronavirus and pregnancy.

How can COVID-19 affect pregnancy?

As explained by ESHRE, the largest European institution on assisted reproduction, although no negative effects have been demonstrated so far, it is recommended to let the wave of COVID-19 pass before seeking to get pregnant.

We will continue to keep you up to date!