IVF and the zika virus

[Still_hopeful_88]

I’m about to go in for my third and hopefully final laparoscopy next week. Following recovery I will hopefully go on the ivf wait list. my partner and I want to safely holiday that’s zika free. I’ve read stories of ivf being postponed due to recent travel to a country where zika is a risk. Is this accurate? I know this is a proper “first world” problem but we are really looking forward to a nice break away somewhere to relax after all the stress of this. But according to WHO the risk is widespread over America now.

[emmab178]

There are a few places that are not zika areas. If you Google it you will find them. Can't remember which ones off the top of my head but it was some islands like Hawaii etc.

The hfea guidance is longer for the man rather than the woman. You could freeze sperm before going.

My clinic said there's a zika test now. Not sure how reliable it is.

Greece would be a good safe area too.

[Novice_knitter]

Yeah, there are rules about ivf and travel - and it’s more regulated for the man than the woman so look at both to work our your dates. If you want to go further afield, Canada, South Africa, NZ, Oz I think are all good. Most of Europe is good too - you can google country by country online to check -good luck finding your destination! 😘

[emmab178]

What i don't understand is how Meghan markle went to an the zika areas whilst pregnant

[Novice_knitter in reply to emmab178]

I know - a calculated risk I think - I remember reading something about Meghan Markles trips in a news article... Zika has been the Bain of our TTC time - trying to go away to nice places whilst waiting to get pregnant, but needing to see where zika is first - def 1st world problem! 🙈

[Elynn]

Palm springs n Vegas Zika free

[L2D2]

Hi Still_hopeful_88

For me this was true! We had our first consultation for ivf back in Oct. We had booked a holiday at the beginning of last year to Florida. So unknown really how our year would pan out.

We of course told them we were going away and to our disappointment they would not proceed any further for 6 months. So we’re back to waiting!! It was always quite present in my mind should a miracle happen I would fall pregnant naturally 🙄 so we had avoided areas that was of high Zika risk, but for my clinic anywhere that carries any risk they were not willing to proceed. I thought Florida was a low risk area. But of course I do understand because they want to help make healthy babies and so would not run the risk. The wait is 6 months because often it is the Male who is the carrier and there has been a case where Zika was present in Male sperm upto 6mths.

So I guess it depends how long the ivf waiting list is in your area??

I hope that helps. Definitely book a nice holiday away somewhere but I think no further than the Med really! Still lots of beautiful places to visit.

Hope all goes well with your next couple of steps! And then go and relax xxx

[NB610]

My husband was in a Zika area for one day due to work and we weren’t allowed to go ahead with ivf, thankfully we were allowed to start 6 months later x

[kenem808]

Hi. Our clinic made us sign consents to say we hadn’t been to zika infected countries in the past 6 months- they had a list. Maybe worth asking if your clinic has something similar. We were thinking about Florida and they said Orlando is fine just not Miami.

Happy holidays.

[Poppy_2018]

I had a bit of a problem with Zika and ivf. We are due to start out first cycle at the end of this week and my husband was meant to travel to a high risk Zika country for work at the end of this month. When researching ivf clinics we were told that ivf would have to be delayed for 6 months following his return (its 2 month for a women who has travelled to a Zika affected country). Some clinics advised there is a blood test that can be done following return from a Zika country however this test is not as advised as it is not fully validated in those that display no symptoms and could give false negative results - I wouldnt take the risk. Luckily my husband was able to cancel his work trip and we can still go ahead, but if you are going on holiday (which is a great idea to relax) then for your peace of mind it would be best to select a country where there is no risk of Zika. I'm sure you've seen it but there is lots of helpful information on the NHS.UK website which includes the list of countries affected.