The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has created uncommon situations all over the world. It has awfully affected not only the economic and social system but also the health practices of countries. An essential lockdown also closed the fertility clinics abruptly. Fertility clinics only prioritized cases, where patients either had an advanced age or having gametes frozen for a long time. But a large number of patients, undergoing the fertility treatment cycles, were not able to get services. This situation demanded a new way of providing such medical services so that the ongoing treatment can be equally effective even with social distancing.
Factors affecting Infertility Treatments in Pandemic
There is no significant proof that Covid – 19 can affect human fertility, pregnant woman, or her fetus in a natural pregnancy. But there is a chance of getting infected with the virus during the treatment cycle through ART services due to the exposure risk.
- There are various studies going on for identifying the effects of coronavirus on sperm and egg performance. Also, experts are researching the unintended effect such as exposure of gametes and embryos in viruses during the infertility treatments such as IVF.
- Patients located in remote areas, hotspot areas, or containment zones have less accessibility to reach the hospital in a lockdown situation. They are bound to take extra precautions and care to prevent the infection at home.
- Couples, who are eagerly waiting for the treatment to start, are not able to visit the hospitals regularly and are getting anxious in this situation.
New Ways of Handling Infertility Treatments in Pandemic Situation
Dr Shivani Sachdev Gour – the best female fertility doctor in Delhi explains the following new methods of infertility treatments.
- In India, almost 10% of cases of infertility are due to PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome). The treatment of such cases is dependent on lifestyle changes such as modifications in diet and exercise patterns. Make sure to cut off Tran fats, junk food, and sugary drinks from your diet and include protein-rich food in your diet.
- While the lockdown has restricted the capacity of patients to the hospital, screening through remote systems such as video calls must adopt widely. Maternal care is an essential service that cannot be postponed even in these times. If an infertility treatment is going on, that must not be interrupted. But if treatments are more focused on lifestyle regimes, it can be suggested remotely through video calls or telemedicine.
- Infertility is also caused by the increased stress level. Since lockdown has given an opportunity to people to stay at home in their comfort zone, couples trying to become parents must pay attention to lower their stress level by yoga, meditation, and spending quality time with their partners.
- Treatments with the least clinic visits are suggested. Infertility services are prioritized in exceptional conditions, such as oocyte or sperm cryopreservation is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer patients and increasing age of patients. Covid guidelines and sanitizing measures must be followed by the fertility clinic. SCI IVF Hospital – the best infertility clinic in Delhi NCR is following all covid related guidelines and assures uninterrupted emergency fertility treatments.
COVID-19 may alter the way infertility treatment is provided: Doctors
“Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common conditions in Indian women; one out of 10 suffers from it. The treatment is 70 percent diet modification and 30 percent exercise. Ensure your diet is low in Tran’s fat – so say no to junk food and sugar – and increase the share of protein,” said Dr Shivani Sachdev Gour, founder & director, SCI Healthcare, New Delhi.