Questions and Answers on Family Planning in times of Corona

Family Planning in Corona Times: Should I pursue my desire to have children now or wait? Medical experts from eight countries provide their answers.

  1. SAre pregnant women specifically at risk from Corona?

Pregnant women with an acute COVID-19 infection are considered particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 disease progression, ICU admission, and preterm births, according to current knowledge. The general medical risk factors also apply to pregnant women. No tests are conducted for asymptomatic patients. The usual testing criteria of the health authorities apply.

  1. Should I proceed with fertility treatment during this time?

In general, there are no official restrictions on active fertility treatment according to regional and national regulations (as of November 16, 2020). According to the Swiss Society of Reproductive Medicine (SGRM) and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), all treatments can be planned and carried out.

However, the question of whether to start treatment or not can only be answered individually, taking into account all factors. All patients should be given the opportunity to decide together with their treating physician whether to continue or postpone treatment. For younger women with recently expressed desire for children, good reproductive prognosis, and emotional well-being, targeted waiting may be a good solution. High-risk patients (e.g., those with diabetes, hypertension, immunosuppressive therapy, former transplant patients, lung, liver, or kidney diseases) should consider starting treatment only in close consultation with their treating physicians.

On the other hand, women around the age of 35, women with diminished egg reserves, couples with a long history of suffering and significant emotional stress, are generally advised to take a proactive approach and avoid unnecessary delays.

  1. Have you implemented special measures to minimize the risk of infection during care?

Safety within the clinic is ensured, among other things, by a documented hygiene and safety concept. This includes the usual measures to prevent new infections among patients and staff (separation of patient paths and no accompanying persons, consistent ventilation and mask-wearing, surface disinfection, etc.). Symptomatic patients are consistently tested for COVID-19, and treatments are interrupted in case of doubt (see below). Furthermore, based on ESHRE recommendations, we have internal and external emergency plans that ensure continued treatment of patients even if the center is no longer operational due to acute COVID-19-related team absence (infection/quarantine).

  1. Is IVF treatment associated with risks during the pandemic?

This is addressed in the other points. In general, patients are informed in writing and orally about the scenarios mentioned in points 1-7.

  1. What happens if I become infected during the hormonal stimulation before egg retrieval?

According to the ESHRE guidelines, unless in very narrowly defined exceptional situations, treatment is discontinued, and the procedure is avoided.

  1. What happens if my partner becomes infected before sperm retrieval? Can the sperm be used?
  2. What happens if the woman becomes infected before or during embryo transfer?

In both scenarios 6 and 7, an ongoing IVF treatment would be interrupted, and the unfertilized eggs (#6) or embryos (#6) would be vitrified out of schedule. After waiting for an appropriate safety period, the treatment can be resumed at the same location without having to undergo the burdensome hormonal stimulation and egg retrieval again.

  1. II had an unsuccessful fertility treatment before the pandemic. Being over 40, I wonder if time is of the essence or if I can wait for the improvement of the COVID-19 situation. What do you think?

After 40, in principle, no time should be wasted, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, suitable strategies should be discussed with a reproductive medicine specialist in a timely manner.

  1. HDoes the COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility?

Currently, there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility.

  1. When can vaccination be considered during pregnancy?

he Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) has adjusted its vaccination recommendations for pregnant women since January 21, recommending vaccination only for pregnant women with additional risk factors (e.g., chronic diseases with an increased risk of complications from COVID-19). The indication for COVID-19 vaccination in this case should be made after careful consideration of the benefits and risks by the attending specialist.

  1. Is there a specific waiting period for pregnancy after vaccination?

According to the BAG, there is no specific waiting period for pregnancy after vaccination.



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