Many women considering IVF treatment during these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic have been faced with additional challenges. The data relating to COVID-19, the vaccination, effects of COVID-19 infection on pregnancy, transforming COVID-19 infection to the infant and many more worrying questions have arisen.
Needless to say this is still an unknown territory for current literature. However, evidence suggest that:
- After IVF treatment if a woman catches COVID-19 there are no known risks to the health of the baby. As more cases are reported, we will be able to comment further on such likelihood
- There is no information to suggest a positive or negative association between vaccination and IVF outcome
- The standard procedure with the majority of vaccinations is to allow a two-month period between the vaccination and treatment. This is what our hospital recommends.
- If you are not vaccinated, you can still proceed with IVF treatment. However, given the insufficient data on vaccination during pregnancy and possible short- and long-term complications, it would be advisable to wait until the delivery of your child to get vaccinated.
- So far, there are no negative reports on the impact on vaccination on the baby’s health. When more numbers continue to come in, we can change our recommendation in favor of vaccination during pregnancy.
- The effect of COVID-19 infection on pregnancy is not completely known, because of the lack of reliable data. There are reports showing healthy deliveries to women who contracted COVID-19. However, long term health outcomes are not yet known.
- Pregnant women with COVID-19 infection might be at an increased risk for delivering their baby earlier than 37 weeks. Steps should be taken to protect themselves from getting sick as this is the only way of offering protection to the parent and her baby in such unprecedented times
