How to cope with infertility during the COVID-19 pandemic

We are truly living in some unusual times. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, has created a global state of emergency and disrupted all of our lives seemingly overnight.

For those struggling to conceive, this situation presents some unique challenges.

Infertility is already a stressful experience for many patients. In times of global health and economic crisis, this emotional burden is likely harder to carry.

Before this pandemic, you may have decided you were finally ready to seek fertility treatment. You may have even begun a fertility treatment or IVF cycle that had to be paused, temporarily. Being told that you must wait to start your family can be incredibly stressful for older patients who know that age is a factor in both male and female fertility.

There are many understandable reasons why you might find yourself more stressed than normal right now. CARE Fertility cares about keeping you safe, and helping you stay sane.

Here are some tips for infertile patients to stay healthy and minimize stress during the pandemic:

Remember that this is just temporary.

Though we don’t know how long this unprecedented global situation will last, we know it won’t be forever. Eventually, we will all get on with our lives.

Eventually, you will get the family you dream of.

If age is a concern, remember that while a treatment pause of even a few weeks or months may feel like a long time (especially if you’re spending it cooped up at home, as you should), this is likely not a long enough waiting period to have any drastic consequences on your egg or sperm quality.

Try to stay calm and keep yourself occupied - perhaps with self-care practices or hobbies you may not have as much time for once you do you have a little one to care for!

Take action to keep yourself and your community healthy.

It’s not unusual to feel a sense of helplessness during a time like this. But there are things you can do to help keep yourself and your partner, friends and family safe. And taking action right now might help you feel more emotionally resilient, too.

The most important action you can take right now is to practice social distancing. At the time of this writing, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines include staying home and avoiding large groups of people. The only way to limit the spread of the disease and “flatten the curve” is to self-isolate as much as possible.

Leave your house only for essential outings like for medications and groceries, and avoid groups of more than 10 people. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and stay away from people who are sick. For the latest and more detailed guidance on COVID-19 prevention, visit the CDC website.

We all have a responsibility to our friends, families and broader communities to do our part to prevent unnecessary deaths.

Keep yourself healthy and continue to exercise.

Take care of yourself so that your body is ready for a baby when the time comes.

Sometimes, that means letting your diet go out the window for a day or so just for the sake of your sanity! But as much as you can, try to nourish your body with healthy foods and get the exercise you need.

It’s okay to get outside for a walk or run, as long as you stay about 6 feet or more away from others. And there are more options and apps for guided indoor workouts than ever before! Find something you enjoy and stay active.

Educate yourself about your insurance and financing options.

Economic and financial concerns are already top of mind for many infertile patients, and we understand why: fertility treatment can be a big investment for couples.

And now, the coronavirus pandemic has many predicting a recession. It seems very likely that economic difficulties lie in the months ahead.

But you do have options. While CARE Fertility is not a lender, we work with several outside financing companies who can help make the cost of your treatment easier to bear. Your health insurance plan may also provide coverage for some infertility treatments. You can learn more about how to afford fertility treatments here.

For many couples, effortless IVF may also be an option. This innovative method of in vitro fertilization is about half the cost of traditional IVF, while being more natural and with the same success rates. Learn more about effortless IVF at effortlessivf.com.

Watch Dr. Kathy Doody’s video providing guidance and encouragement for patients and families struggling with infertility.

Speak to your doctor if you have questions.

Businesses and medical practices of all kinds are pivoting to innovative methods of serving their customers and patients that limit the need for close personal contact. CARE Fertility is no different.

To ensure we can continue to see patients in a safe environment, CARE is now offering telemedicine services to new and existing patients. This means you can see your doctor over a video call or phone call, ask questions about your treatment, and even get medication prescribed, all from the comfort and safety of your home.

Your doctor wants to be there for you and values your peace of mind. Don’t hesitate to call us with your questions.

We are all in this together, and we will get through this together! Our doctors and staff are committed to helping our patients achieve their dreams of a family. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, please call our offices at (817) 540-1157.

For the latest in how CARE Fertility is responding to Coronavirus, please refer to our Treatment Policy.