Updated 3/21/2020
We continue to face difficult decisions while keeping the health and safety of our patients a priority. Due to the unprecedented COVID-19 global outbreak, Zouves Fertility Center is implementing the following policies as recommended by ASRM on March 17, 2020, which are effective through March 30:
- Suspend initiation of new treatment cycles, including ovulation induction, intrauterine inseminations (IUIs), in vitro fertilization (IVF) including retrievals and frozen embryo transfers, as well as non-urgent gamete cryopreservation.
- Strongly consider cancellation of all embryo transfers whether fresh or frozen.
- Continue to care for patients who are currently “in-cycle” or who require urgent stimulation and cryopreservation.
- Suspend elective surgeries and non-urgent diagnostic procedures.
- Minimize in-person interactions and increase the utilization of telehealth.
ASRM’s recommendations will be revisited periodically as the pandemic evolves, but no later than March 30, 2020, with the aim of resuming usual patient care as soon and as safely as possible. ZFC will be ready to resume all services as soon as ASRM feels it is safe to pursue pregnancy and to begin treatment cycles again.
In the meantime, ZFC will remain open and will continue to see patients for workups and lab work, and Dr. Zouves will continue to conduct telephone consultations. If you are healthy and pass screening criteria, you may be allowed to come to the office, but we ask that you take all precautions to help you remain healthy (see below).
Scheduling a telephone consultation will allow you to talk about pretreatment testing and ways to get your body prepared for a pregnancy.
We know this is a really difficult time, as many of you have had long, difficult and stressful fertility journeys. ZFC’s goal is to be a resource for you during this time.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO AVOID GETTING SICK
To limit the potential spread of COVID-19, we recommend that our patients take the following steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty or if you’ve been around those that are sick.
- Cover hands and nose with a tissue or a sleeve – not hands – when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe (Lysol or Clorox products).
- Avoid traveling to areas with active outbreaks of COVID-19 and remain away from others that may have traveled for a minimum of 14 days (for current travel advisories and important information on COVID-19, visit the CDC website
- To avoid delaying treatment, avoid traveling to areas with current reports of COVID-19. If you have traveled to a country on the CDC restricted list, we recommend that you postpone treatments and office appointments until two weeks after returning home.
- If you are actively sick with a fever, please stay home until the fever has been clear of your system for 14 days post fever to prevent the spread of disease to our patients and staff.
- Please contact your primary care physician if you are ill or have any health concerns.
FOR PATIENTS – ACTIVELY SEEKING TREATMENT
Q: Does COVID-19 impact fertility?
A: Currently, there is no data or scientific evidence to suggest that COVID-19 impacts fertility.
Q: Do you recommend that I postpone any attempt at getting pregnant until the virus is contained?
A: No, ZFC does not think that it is necessary to postpone pregnancy. You may want to delay pregnancy if you have traveled to high-risk areas, been in close contact with someone who has traveled to high-risk areas, or if you’re feeling ill. The CDC has recommended if you think you might have been exposed to the virus, self-quarantining for 14 days after the last known exposure to the virus.
Q: Will COVID-19 increase my risk of miscarriage?
A: Currently, there is no information on adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19. Pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth, has been observed in cases of infection with other related coronaviruses [SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV] during pregnancy. High fevers during the first trimester of pregnancy can increase the risk of certain birth defects. (Source: CDC)
Q: If I recently traveled abroad, will that impact when I start treatment at ZFC?
A: We recommend waiting two weeks after traveling to areas with reported cases of COVID-19 before you visit the ZFC office.
Q: How will you ensure that my eggs/embryos/sperm will remain safe in the lab?
A: ZFC has some of the most state-of-the-art technologies available and implements some of the strictest laboratory standards and protocols in the industry, to provide our patients with the best possible care. All storage devices are monitored 24 hours a day and there is additional liquid nitrogen on site to cover potential short falls by distributors. Strict cleaning protocols are in place to reduce the spread of infection.
Q: What should I do if I become sick?
A: If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:
- Seek medical care. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
- Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others.
- Do not come into the ZFC office.
- Update ZFC with your condition as soon as possible.
Q: What happens if I get exposed to COVID-19 during my IVF cycle?
A: If you have symptoms of respiratory distress and fever, which is common with COVID-19, your IVF cycle will mostly likely be canceled. It would be ill-advised to use anesthesia to suppress respirations even further, at a time that you are already compromised due to a viral infection. ZFC wants to protect our patients and our staff from a potential exposure, thus if you are ill your cycle will be canceled.
Q: Does ZFC plan on shutting down for a period of time?
A: All IVF programs in the country have canceled all transfers and egg retrievals scheduled for April. This has to do with the shelter in place, which may also become a lockdown and also because there is going to be an unprecedented burden placed on the medical system to support people who are going to get sick.
Like other programs in the country, we will not be doing any transfers or retrievals in April. I’m hoping that by May things will be much better and we will then be able to start doing procedures again.
Our office is open and we will continue to speak with patients and answer questions.
