ICSI cycle during Covid

[Owengle123]

Hi Everyone,

We’re about to go for our second round of ICSI and obviously because of Covid I’m anxious about how that will impact the process! Does anyone have any experiences to share?

[Ariel24]

Hi! We had an ICSI round in November / December and the Covid aspect didn’t mean too many issues to be honest - main one being that husband wasn’t allowed with me to the scans which I thought I would hate but I felt so lucky to be having our second round finally, he was able to drop me off at the hospital (so no parking I and worrying about spaces) and he was able to come with me on egg collection day because of them needing his sample so all in all I didn’t feel that bad going alone.

We were told to self isolate from the first monitoring scan until after embryo transfer. I was already working from home and husband was able to for that time so didn’t cause too many issues for us.

I felt safe in the hospital and it was actually nice having less people in the waiting room due to restricted numbers.

Care and support from staff was just the same as pre Covid and I felt comfortable and at ease even with the heightened Covid risk.

Good luck with your round 😃

[Purpledoggy]

So far, it has been OK (I don't have a pre-COVID experience for comparison though!). I think the worst thing has been the stress of knowing the cycle will be cancelled if either of us has to isolate due to infection or being in contact, so my advice on that front is to try and do what you can to minimise any risk of exposure once you get started. The clinic asked us to strictly distance (rather than isolate) once stims started but TBH we have been pretty much isolating rather than distancing, and completely isolating for the 3 days before egg collection as required by the clinic as I had a COVID swab done at the last stim scan. I have felt safe at the scans as the clinic have been very careful and I know staff are being tested regularly. Hubby hasn't been at the scans with me but I think he may have been allowed as they asked me one day if he was with me. He will be giving his contribution at the clinic for EC tomorrow but he will not be with me at any point once I go inside the clinic, and I believe he would have been with me during waiting to go in and also recovery in non-COVID times. Wishing you lots of luck for your cycle xx

[Owengle123]

Thanks both for your replies, that’s really useful insight.I am feeling edgy about the Covid element of it all but thankfully we’re both working from home, so actually because of the current restrictions it might actually be easier to ensure we are fully isolating whilst we go through the treatment

[Notarwen]

In a weird way I've found it easier. It's been a bit crap not being able to have my partner with me at appointments (he's been left milling around outside the hospital!) but I've also been working from home, so the injections and appointments have fitted in much easier. Plus, I've not had to explain why I'm ducking out of things, or heading home early, not drinking, etc... 😉We were advised to self-isolate before starting stims, just to be sure we remained Covid free for egg collection and that worked pretty well for us. Like everyone else, I've found the waiting room more pleasant, appointments have run more to time and I've always felt very safe. No major downside I don't think, other than if you make it to the pregnancy scan, your partner still can't attend. Frankly though, that's a trade off I'd be happy to make!

I say go for it and very best wishes!

[Sjw89]

I’ve recently had a FET and apart from having to go it alone at my scans and appointments as my husband can’t attend it’s not been too bad. At almost every appointment I’ve been the only one in the waiting room and the staff have all been lovely and reassuring. In comparison to March when I also had a FET which I ended in a miscarriage. I wasn’t treated very well I went to an appointment concerned about bleeding and because I still had a lingering cough despite already isolating prior to the appointment. I was told to leave the department and treated like I had the plaque. I had to discuss my concerns about the bleeding by shouting to a nurse in the car park who refused to come near and just threw my meds at me. I put it all down to the massive concern regarding covid at the time and us all knowing so little about it. But this time around has been a lot more pleasant. I wish you the best of luck and try not to stress about it all too much. Xxxx

[Owengle123]

Thanks for the reassurance. I think I’ll be fine on my own and I’m sure my OH will be delighted not to have to attend every appointment 😉Everything crossed that this is our successful round 🤞🏻 And COVID doesn’t get in the way of that!

[Jjf86]

Hi we’re starting our second icsi as well and also worrying about COVID and the affects it could have good luck

[Owengle123]

Good luck to you too Jjf86! Xx