UK clinics - coronavirus

[cggregory]

Hi, my lovely friends!

I’m due to start stims in about 2 weeks’ time, and I’m concerned that my cycle may end up being postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. I know in the grand scheme of things, a postponement isn’t the end of the world, but I’ve waited so long for my second round to start and the uncertainty of it all makes me feel really helpless. I’m sure there are others here who feel the same.

I was thinking maybe we could all share what our clinics are saying at the moment to help us put together a clearer picture of what UK clinics are doing in response to the virus.

I’ll start: I’m at a private clinic in London. They have said that it’s business as usual for the time being, but they are monitoring the situation daily. They said they are following government advice, which at this point doesn’t affect the clinic’s operation.

[Hidden]

I sent you a message x

[Gem2410]

Hi. What a great idea. I totally understand how you’re feeling. I feel exactly the same.

I’m due to start my down reg for my FET in a couple of weeks. I read a couple of posts on here, and got a little worried so rang my clinic.

I’m NHS in the midlands. They have said that everything is going ahead as usual, and there is no evidence that it effects pregnancy. I guess it is a waiting game, as things could change.

xx

[cggregory in reply to Gem2410]

Fingers crossed everything goes ahead! ❤️

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Northern Ireland were going to cancel 33 cycles of IVF, but they're now giving people the option of going ahead or cancelling if they want, and it won't affect their place on the list, or lose out on that cycle. One lady today decided to freeze all and go for FET once everything has died down again. Good luck everyone! Diane

[cggregory in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks for this info, Diane. I’d heard about the 33 cancellations but not that they changed course and decided to allow patients to decide for themselves. I spoke to my clinic yesterday and I am confident that their decision to continue with treatments (but with extra hygiene measures and contingency plans) is the right thing to do. Life can’t completely stop...especially if this virus is going to spread for months and months. Time is of the essence for so many women going through this.

[Hidden in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi Diane, I'm at the rfc Belfast have started down regulating the risk is low atm in northern Ireland/Ireland it would be harsh if they stopped treatment at this stage, thank you for this information ❤️

[Italy300618]

Hi there. I rang my private clinic in Birmingham this morning, they said everything as normal. They are testing patients temperatures and members of staff. Obviously if you show any symptoms to stay at home, and treatment wont go ahead, and if you have been to any high risk countries, but they are taking all the precautions like any other business. I was getting worried too, but then I thought ...yes...they are like any other business where they want to make sure their income is not effected. They would really want to continue as business as normal for their own sakes so I think if you stay well and they dont have a member of staff with the virus I can only hope treatment wont be effected. Fingers crossed any way!

Like you, I understand the risk of the virus but we are ready to go now, I would be devastated if they postponed it. Because as well when they say postpone...it could be months as its not even reached its peak yet, who knows when the country might recover from it! xx

[cggregory in reply to Italy300618]

We are on exactly the same page with this! Good luck ❤️

[Italy300618 in reply to cggregory]

And to you lovely xxx

[Italy300618]

And to add, they also said no increased risk with pregnancy or effect on the baby, so thats good news! Its not like Zika or ebola xx

[RhinoCat]

My clinic have moved to do consultations over the phone or Internet where possible but scans and bloods to proceed as normal .

Sanitise hands before coming in and before leaving clinic .

It is a private clinic situated away from all nhs hospitals .

Clinic in NI

If symptoms, stay away from the clinic .

😘

Ps my clinic has issued statements on their Facebook page

[Khess124]

My clinic is part of a hospital that has had a confirmed case in London! And they still went ahead and did transfer, it’s all as normal until the government says other wise! Good luck hun 🤞🏻 xx

[cggregory in reply to Khess124]

Good luck to you, too! ❤️

[aamiller405]

Just created a post about this.. Cycles in Belfast regional fertility clinic have just been postponed. Some poor people postponed in the middle of stims too x

[cggregory in reply to aamiller405]

Ugh, awful situation.

[Sarah83ap]

I called my clinic today as due to start stims on Sunday.

They said exactly the same as you that it’s business as usual and to carry on.

Sx

[cggregory in reply to Sarah83ap]

That’s great news; here’s hoping the situation doesn’t change in a hurry 🤞❤️

[Core]

I went for a treatment planning meeting yesterday and they said for now carry on as normal but I’ve just seen all non essential treatment to be cancelled in Wales so wondering if this will be us 😕 xx

[cggregory in reply to Core]

I really hope that doesn’t happen! 🤞❤️

[Maggiemooi]

Same advice from my clinic which is private -just started a cycle and the nurse seemed pretty unconcerned about it.

[cggregory in reply to Maggiemooi]

Really glad to hear that ❤️

[BetsyBo]

Fab idea!

I’ve just had my first scan before egg collection and was told it’s business as usual here at Hewitt Fertility Centre. They have said that if one site closes it may mean going to another but if they all close then treatment will have to be abandoned or postponed. BUT as it stands, everything is continuing as usual🤞🤞🤞

[BetsyBo in reply to BetsyBo]

*these sites are Liverpool/Wigan and Knutsford Btw x

[cggregory in reply to BetsyBo]

Thanks so much for sharing; best of luck with your cycle ❤️

[BetsyBo in reply to cggregory]

You too xxx

[Corchi]

Greece all ivf cancelled

[Hidden]

I called today to register day one for a natural transfer and they refused to book my first scan saying call us on your next cycle 😢 it’s a London clinic and I’m a private patient but to be honest I don’t trust their admin staff as they always give me wrong information 😤

[cggregory in reply to Hidden]

Ugh, I’m so sorry. At this point, I’m just waiting for the call saying it’s cancelled. Looks like many clinics are going down that road 💔

[ttcemmie]

Hi cggregory. I agree; this forum is a great place for info sharing and everyone is really helping everyone out, so this makes complete sense. This is gutting for people who have cycles postponed, and gutting for those who have started a cycle and then it gets cancelled 🙁🙁🙁🙁 Absolutely awful and I'm really feeling for everyone whose treatment is affected by this stupid-ass pandemic. xxxxx