If you were to ask me about expanding my family right now, I’d probably laugh and then shed a tear, stuck indoors with my three kids. But rewind twelve years, and the thought of having more children would have filled my heart with hope and longing.
Back then, my partner and I were a couple trying to navigate conception through fertility assistance. While I wouldn’t label either of us as infertile, we frequently visited a fertility clinic to determine the best timing for insemination using frozen sperm from a cryobank. It was a grueling, costly, and time-consuming process, but we were dedicated to realizing our dream of parenthood.
Now, with the onset of COVID-19, access to these essential fertility treatments has been severely restricted. Many individuals and couples are left waiting, forced to pause their aspirations or watch them slip away entirely. I understand the necessity for caution during this health crisis, but my heart aches for those whose family planning has been upended.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has issued guidelines recommending the suspension of most fertility treatments, including egg retrievals, embryo transfers, and diagnostic tests. Anyone seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other fertility assistance is now being asked to delay their cycles until further notice. The rationale is to curb the spread of the coronavirus through social distancing and to better understand its impact on pregnancy.
Fertility treatments typically require multiple visits to clinics within a single ovulation cycle, exposing patients to various healthcare providers. Assisted conception involves numerous interactions, making it virtually impossible to enforce social distancing in these settings.
ASRM clarifies that while they are not outright discouraging pregnancy during the pandemic, they acknowledge the risks involved. The implications of contracting COVID-19 in early pregnancy remain unknown, and vulnerable groups may face heightened risks. Some studies indicate that infected individuals experienced respiratory complications post-delivery, raising concerns about the overall safety of pursuing pregnancy during this time.
While ASRM is not discouraging home-based conception attempts, it remains cautious about recommending medical assistance in clinics. Fertility treatments are significant but are not categorized as emergencies, with few exceptions to the current guidelines. Dr. Alan Reid, a reproductive specialist at the New Hope Fertility Center, emphasizes that individuals facing treatments like chemotherapy or those of advanced maternal age are particularly affected by these delays. For such patients, the advice is to collaborate with their healthcare providers to freeze eggs or sperm for future use.
However, for older individuals or those with limited egg reserves, each month poses a risk of lost opportunities. As single woman Claire Johnson poignantly expressed, “At 42, the timing is crucial for me. Each month feels like another chance gone.”
The emotional toll of infertility and treatment delays is immense, often leading to anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. I experienced sheer panic during my own fertility journey, feeling powerless as my partner navigated our path to parenthood. The waiting was unbearable, especially when it appeared so effortless for others.
In light of these challenges, Dr. Reid and his team conducted a study to evaluate the emotional fallout from halted fertility treatments. Among 518 respondents, nearly a quarter equated the ASRM’s recommendations to the grief of losing a child.
An indefinite suspension of fertility treatments is akin to a loss of potential futures. For some, the opportunity to conceive may come, but for others, the window of possibility is closing. Uncertainty looms over when treatments will resume or if parenthood will become a reality at all. The longing to become a parent can feel as essential as breathing, making the abrupt halt in plans all the more heartbreaking.
As COVID-19 shakes the foundation of many lives, it particularly devastates those hoping to conceive. For further insights, you can explore this related blog post here or visit Make a Mom for expert advice on fertility. The CDC also provides valuable information about infertility, which can be found here.
In summary, the pandemic has created unprecedented barriers for those seeking fertility treatments, leaving many feeling lost and heartbroken. The emotional ramifications are profound, underscoring the need for support and understanding during such difficult times.
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