Irish fertility patients’ attitudes to pregnancy and risk mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The effects of COVID-19 on fertility services became evident in early 2020. Fertility treatments were initially suspended following advice from international fertility governing bodies. We performed a web-based study to investigate the attitudes of male and female fertility patients in Ireland, for risk mitigation strategies and pregnancy advice during the first wave of COVID-19. Despite international recommendations and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and pregnancy, over two thirds of patients continued trying to conceive, while awaiting recommencement of fertility services. When services resumed, the majority were keen to continue fertility treatment. They were agreeable to telemedicine in place of face-to-face consultations. They felt that privacy was maintained and were comfortable signing consent forms via video link. Large numbers, however, strongly disagreed with the no-partner policy for embryo transfer and early pregnancy scanning, highlighting the importance of partner support. Patients felt strongly that fertility treatments should be classified as essential services and that every effort should be made to continue treatments in future pandemics. These results highlight the importance of maintaining fertility services, while adapting to new practices that may be required. The primary concern of the infertility population is the desire for pregnancy and parenthood. This innate human need trumps concerns regarding COVID-19 for the majority of those affected.

Keywords:

• Assisted reproduction
• COVID-19 pandemic
• SARS-CoV-2
• coronavirus disease 2019
• fertility treatment

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.