A Complete Guide to COVID-19 for Fertility Patients

It is recommended for anyone with the ability to get the COVID vaccine to do so. The vaccine is believed to be safe for those trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Yes! It is absolutely safe to get the booster shot during fertility treatment (at any point during your cycle), and we strongly recommend it to all patients. The American College of OB/GYN also recommends a booster shot for all women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Available data strongly indicates that COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility in women or men. In the randomized blinded Pfizer-BioNTech trial, a similar number of women conceived after receiving the vaccine as those who received the placebo. mRNA vaccines are taken up rapidly by muscle cells at the injection site and the mRNA is degraded in the cell once the protein is made so it does not cross the placenta. Because the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are not composed of the live virus, they are not thought to cause an increased risk of infertility, first or second trimester loss, stillbirth, or congenital anomalies. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for women who are contemplating pregnancy or who are pregnant in order to minimize risks to themselves and their pregnancy.

The best time to get vaccinated is while you are undergoing treatment. COVID-19 vaccination will not in any way affect your treatment cycle or chances for success.

Women who are infected with COVID-19 in pregnancy are at a higher risk for severe disease including admission to the intensive care unit, need for mechanical ventilation and death. 

Presently, there is no evidence that you cannot or should not be pregnant during the COVID-19 outbreak. The best way to protect your baby is vaccination. Any woman who is attempting pregnancy or is currently pregnant should be fully vaccinated, including a booster.

In line with the most recent guidance from ACOG, ASRM, & the CDC that shows the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and their benefit to those TTC, pregnant, or breastfeeding, we do not provide vaccine exemptions.

For mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), messenger instructions (mRNA) are sent to the cells and taught how to make a spike protein found on a COVID-19 virus cell, which ultimately prompts an immune response in our bodies and the creation of antibodies. As soon as the instructions are “read,” the body gets rid of them. For viral vector vaccines (Johnson & Johnson), a harmless, modified version of a different virus is injected into the body. Once that harmless version hits a cell, it uses the cells mechanics to then create the spike protein found in COVID-19, again prompting the creation of antibodies.

Common side effects of vaccination include pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. These symptoms may persist for a few days. Side effects may be more significant following the second injection.

COVID vaccines promote the natural creation of the antibodies needed to fight off the COVID-19 virus. This is done by teaching your body how to create a look-alike version of a protein found on the surface of COVID virus cells, triggering an immune response in the body. The body will remember how to replicate these antibodies in the future, should you be exposed to the virus.

Currently available mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have documented safety and efficacy in large randomized clinical trials, preventing up to 95% of severe disease. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been shown to have a 66% efficacy rate and is effective at preventing severe illness or hospitalization. 

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for women who are contemplating pregnancy or who are pregnant in order to minimize risks to themselves and their pregnancy. Patients who conceive in the window between the first and second dose of the vaccine should be offered the second dose of the vaccine at the appropriate interval.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are unvaccinated OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR
completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted:

• Stay home for 5 days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days minimum (we recommend masking as much as possible). 
• If you can’t quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days.
• Test on day 5 if possible.

Visit the CDC to learn more.

We are still using video conferencing for all new patient appointments, nutrition counseling, genetic counseling, emotional support, and fertility coaching. All testing, bloodwork, procedures, and other in-person necessities will be conducted in the appropriate office.

For morning monitoring: Upon arrival at our office, please stay in your car and text us to let us know you're here. Follow the prompts you receive on the day of your appointment and only proceed into the office when notified.

For all other appointments and procedures: No need to text us upon arrival, please come on in!

If you have been directly exposed to COVID-19 and have not received a booster shot, you will need to reschedule your appointment and not come into our offices for 5 days (even if asymptomatic). Please contact your Care Team for further instruction if this occurs.

If you have received your booster shot, you will need to show verification by emailing your Care Team a picture of your COVID vaccination card showing your booster date in order to keep your appointment.

For IUIs, pregnancy ultrasounds, and embryo transfers, one masked partner/support person can be in the exam room.

For surgical procedures, one masked partner/support person can accompany you and wait in the reception area. *Gestational carrier and intended parent cases are the only exceptions.

We ask that you avoid bringing children to your visit.If you have a childcare conflict, we will work with you to reschedule at a better time.

Please contact your patient navigator if you need to reschedule your visit or have any concerns. Thank you for helping us keep our patients and staff safe!

• All patients and staff are still required to wear a surgical or cloth mask without a valve in our offices.
  
• Valve masks are not permitted because their one-way valve only filters air breathed in, allowing respiratory droplets to still spread.
• Gaiters, neck warmers, and bandanas are also not permissible.
• Please bring your own mask, as they are not provided in the office. 

That is our top concern, too. Your health and safety, as well as our staff's, is of utmost importance. We screen our entire staff for signs of COVID-19 and are also screening all patients that enter the building. Upon arrival for your appointment, you will be asked about any symptoms you may be experiencing. Additionally, we will take your temperature, and then finally, we will ask you to wash your hands. As mentioned above, we are also still requiring everyone in the office to wear a mask. 

For surgical patients who can prove vaccination status (including the two week window following the final shot), COVID-19 testing is not needed prior to the procedure.

We are doing everything we can to safely maintain our patients needs without interruption. Please read the "In-Office Protocol & Procedures" section below for more detailed information on how these adjusted policies may affect your treatment. 

Women who are infected with COVID-19 in pregnancy are at a higher risk for severe disease including admission to the intensive care unit, need for mechanical ventilation and death.  There is emerging evidence to suggest that infection with COVID-19 during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth. The good news is that the overall rates of any of these adverse outcomes are low. 

Presently, there is no evidence that you cannot or should not be pregnant during the COVID-19 outbreak. The best way to protect your baby is vaccination. Any woman who is attempting pregnancy or is currently pregnant should be fully vaccinated including a booster.