As we all sit at home trying to self-isolate and reduce our contact with people in an attempt to deal with corona-virus, we are starting to think about all of the different ways this pandemic is affecting everyone. In our field of infertility, timing is very important for treatments and with this unexpected turn of events couples may have to put off treatments for the time being. This can create feelings of powerlessness and enhance the stress that comes with the process. This is certainly a new and unique situation for everyone. No one really knows what is going to happen and with the country wide lock downs all over the world, it is not easy to deal with it. These are uncertain times and the truth of the matter is that no one knows what is in store for us. Some clinics are choosing to continue with infertility care whereas others have ceased all procedures. There are certain guidelines put forth but the decision is ultimately up to that clinic and what they believe to be the best option for their patients.
We have all been so busy with our own lives that many of us have not thought about how this situation might be affecting others. I began to realize the real effect of this pandemic on the community when I asked @ivfbaby9 to share their story with me. Emma is 24 years old and her partner is 28. They have been trying to conceive for five years and it was in 2018 that they found out her partner was infertile and their only chance of conceiving was through ICSI. They began their first cycle in September 2019 which was unfortunately not successful. She mentioned that they were not happy with the care they received from their clinic and decided to be referred to another clinic. This new clinic was very impressive and they were happy to continue treatment there. Their new cycle was scheduled for March 16th but due to the corona-virus, it has been pushed back. She mentioned that its important to stay positive during treatment because it can be daunting and emotionally difficult. These feelings are going to be enhanced in the current situation and it is important to focus on things you are able to control. It is a good opportunity to focus on your mental health. Try to relax and let your body and mind take the necessary rest they need. It is a great time for us all to take that extra time for ourselves and do things we were always too busy for. It is a necessary cleanse for our minds and bodies. I understand that it can be stressful and the best way to try and deal with the stress is to stay in touch with your support system and know that you are not alone in any of this. During these times, the most important thing is to stay safe and make sure you are not putting anyone else at risk so even though it is not easy, the best option is to stay isolated and reduce contact with other people.
This situation is new to everyone and clinics should be able to stay in contact and transparent with patients through it all. If you have questions and worries about what is going to happen, you should reach out to your clinic and seek answers. However, it is worth mentioning that clinics are also struggling with providing the best possible care while ensuring the safety of their staff and patients so they may not have all the answers right now. It has been a difficult unexpected situation for everyone and we all need to come together as a community to help each other through these tough times. Trust your clinic and allow them to follow their safety measures. Focus on yourself and keep a positive outlook. Hopefully, this pandemic will be over soon with a brighter future ahead for all of us. Please feel free to contact me if you are having difficulty coping with this new situation.
