Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
COVID-19 and Pregnancy FAQs
We understand that being pregnant amid this global crisis can be stressful for many of our patients. Be assured that we are working hard to offer you continued support, medical care, and evidence-based information.
Following the recommendations released by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Canada (SOGC), we would like to answer some of your most frequently asked questions during this time.
COVID-19 FAQs
Tripod Fertility remains open but only appointments that require a physical exam or procedure will be done in person. All other appointments will be virtual so that we can limit the number of patients and staff in the clinic at one time.
All patients must practice physical distancing and wear a face mask or covering while inside the building. Patients will be screened 24 hours prior to entering the clinic and their temperature will be taken upon arrival at the clinic.
Any appointments that do not require a physical exam or procedure will be done virtually to limit the number of staff and patients in the clinic.
Any staff who can do their work from home will do so. Any staff working in clinic are screened and their temperature taken at the beginning of each shift.
The majority of our staff have been vaccinated.
Our clinic layout has been altered to ensure safe distancing between both patients and staff members. When physical distancing is not possible (eg. when an ultrasound, physical exam, or blood draw is being done), staff will wear proper PPE (face mask, face shield, gloves, etc.)
Limited numbers of people are allowed in public washrooms and elevators within the building to ensure proper physical distancing can be adhered to.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) acknowledges the need for guidance related to the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy and during
lactation. We recognize the difficulty facing women and their health care providers at this time, due to the absence
of clinical trials that can support evidence-informed recommendations about the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant
and breastfeeding populations. Information related to COVID-19, the impact of the disease on pregnancy and data
related to COVID-19 vaccines in development are rapidly evolving. The information contained herein is subject to
change as further evidence becomes available and currently applies to the RNA based COVID-19 vaccines.
Consensus Statement: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at anytime if they are eligible and no contraindications exist. This decision is based the women’s personal values and an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Women should not be precluded from vaccination based on pregnancy status or breastfeeding.
Consensus Statement: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at anytime if they are eligible and no contraindications exist. This decision is based the women’s personal values and an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Women should not be precluded from vaccination based on pregnancy status or breastfeeding.
It is unlikely that the infection causes birth defects to occur given that it was not found in amniotic fluid, placenta or cord blood. Preterm birth has been reported in some cases, although it is difficult to know whether this was due to intervention done to the woman for the care of the active illness, or due to the virus itself. There does not seem to be an increase in early pregnancy loss or miscarriage. Once more, since this is a new viral strain, we will be accumulating more data with time and will update the information as it becomes available.
All patients coming into Tripod Fertility who have travelled from outside of Canada must quarantine for 14 days prior to entering the clinic.
For those that need treatment to occur at Tripod (for example immune patients):
Patients to test 3 days prior to departure – no quarantine needed prior to travel. Upon arrival in Toronto, quarantine for 5 days and send Tripod their flight information so we can track possible cases on their flight.
On the 6th day, get tested at an assessment centre.
Go back into quarantine until results received (approx. 2 days = 8 days total quarantine).
Once a negative result is received, send a copy to our clinic and then the patient can come into the clinic.
All Out-of-Province (Canadians that do not reside Ontario) patients will have their treatment and monitoring performed at our affiliate clinic IVF Canada. As required by IVF Canada, all out-of-province patients must have a negative COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours prior to their entry to the clinic. This process would be for all Third party donors and surrogates.
Based on data from other respiratory infections such as influenza, pregnant women are considered a vulnerable population given the changes to their respiratory status and blood volume during pregnancy. All recommendations for reduction of infection transmission should be closely followed, including good hand hygiene, confinement to the home as much as possible and social distancing.
New information is being learned all the time about COVID-19. At the present time, pregnant patients do not seem more likely to get COVID-19 than others. The majority of women who have become ill had mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, or gastrointestinal symptoms. While pregnant women have been known to often experience more severe courses with previously identified respiratory illnesses, it does not appear to be the same with COVID-19. Given that this is a new virus, we are gathering information daily and will update it with any new information
To date, there has been no evidence of transmission from a mother infected with COVID-19 to her baby. Studies that have tested amniotic fluid, serum, placenta and breast milk from pregnant women have shown that this type of transmission is highly unlikely. Babies who have tested positive in the neonatal period seem to have gotten infected after birth. Regardless, all newborns delivered from an infected mother will be tested for COVID-19 at birth.
Yes, breastfeeding is okay as human milk contains immunological factors that can help protect the infant. In addition, there is no evidence that the virus passes through breast milk. The mother should wear a mask, and adequate hand washing as well as infection transmission prevention should be performed.
Reduction or alteration of visits may be appropriate for virus transmission prevention, and must be done on a case-by-case basis. Virtual visits and telephone support can be used where appropriate. Overall, your provider should have a schedule of care, with required in-person visit and possible virtual care visits.
Patients must come alone to their routine appointments to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.
For the safety of our patients and our staff, we are not allowing partners or additional family members into the ultrasound scans. We will be happy to provide you with photos of your scans at the conclusion of your appointment to share with your loved ones.
The SOGC advises against the presence of symptomatic family members in the delivery suite. Visitation will be limited based on the specific protocols of each hospital.
Universal isolation from your baby for either confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection is not recommended unless clinically indicated for disease severity or personally preferred by you and your family. You should practice good hand washing before infant care and use a mask, including while breastfeeding.
General FAQs
The government partially funds one funded IVF cycle per woman per lifetime. You must be under the age of 43 and have an OHIP card in order to available of funding.
The government also partially funds IUIs for women with an OHIP card.
For more information, please read http://tripodfertility.com/funded-ivf/
For more information, please read http://tripodfertility.com/funded-ivf/
IUI cycles are partially funded by the government. The semen wash is not covered in the funding and will cost around $600. If medications are prescribed for your cycle this will cost an additional $50-150.
The cost for a private IVF cycle can vary greatly depending on the IVF protocol prescribed by the physician. Typically, a cycle can be anywhere between $6000-12000. This does not include medication which costs an additional $3000-6000. Please check with your private insurance provider if they cover fertility medication. If desired, you will also need to pay an additional fee for pre-implantation genetic testing which starts at $5000. If you have a funded IVF cycle, please keep in mind the government does not cover medication and genetic testing.
If you have an OHIP card, all consults with our physicians are covered. Please contact us for private fees if you are not an Ontario Citizen.
You may be able to get onto our funded IVF list for as early as this fiscal year. If we are full for this fiscal year, we will have room for you on our funded IVF list for the next fiscal year. Please ask the physician at your initial consult if you wish to be added to our wait list.
When you are a family dealing with infertility issues, it’s difficult. Our family’s experience with Dr. Dzineku, Dr. Roumain, and their team was nothing but amazing.