Causes & Treatment
How Fertility Port Prague is Treating Patients During Covid-19
Eloise Edington | 23 Nov 2020
We’re delighted to be talking to one of our partner fertility clinics about IVF treatment abroad during this dreaded ongoing Covid-19 era. Fertility Port are based in Prague and continue to offer fertility help to so many people, even during this time. Fertility Port have an impressive team of fertility specialists. Let’s hear from them and their patients about what they do.
Over to Fertility Port Prague
www.fertilityport.com | @fertilityportprague
What Do You Do?
There are a variety of fertility tests, treatments, and methods which Fertility Port Prague offer. Some of these include:
Examinations (fertility tests)
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Complex Gynaecological Examination (for women) – this is where they test the patient’s current egg supply (AFC – antral follicle count), in regards to their age, the current state of their uterus (womb lining) and the overall conditions needed to achieve a successful pregnancy.
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Laboratory Examination (for women) – this helps to specify the current egg supply (AMH) and the overall condition of the body, with regards to the expected baby and pregnancy.
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Spermiogram (for men) – this fertility test determines the current quality of the ejaculate and helps to decide whether your chances of a successful conception are ideal or if there is a cause for concern.
Treatments
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IUI – Intrauterine Insemination
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IVF/ICSI with the couple’s own eggs and sperm
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IVF/ICSI with donated eggs and the couple’s own sperm
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IVF/ICSI with donated eggs and sperm
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Donated frozen embryos
Methods
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PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy)
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PGT-M (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic/Single Gene Diseases)
Learn more about their egg freezing (social freezing) process here.
Related Article – Trying to Conceive During a Second Lockdown
How Has Covid-19 Affected You / Your Patients?
Earlier this year, everyone around the world experienced the appalling pandemic situation that has limited us in every way possible. None of us ever thought, or even imagined, that such a situation would arise until the last moment. We never expected that in the 21st century there would be a circumstance in which almost all traffic, including air traffic, would cease. Unfortunately, this absurd, unexpected state of affairs has affected us in the Czech Republic, since 19th March 2020.
At Fertility Port Prague, we needed to deal with every patient and their personalised, planned fertility treatment, because our fertility clinic is mainly focussed on foreign patients. In this sudden situation, the travel rules applied with different measures for each country. Many patients were frightened at first and wanted to cancel or postpone their treatment indefinitely, because they feared the difficulty of travelling and the potential health effects of Covid-19 (about which there was limited information at the time). However, in early April, the greatest fears gradually began to subside, and our fertility patients realised that if they wanted their longed for baby, there was no time to waste.
What Did You Provide?
We offered free Skype consultations on a daily basis and tried to answer all questions and queries to the best of our knowledge. The most frequently asked question was whether it was appropriate to undergo fertility treatment in this unknown circumstance. Our recommendation was clear – YES. On the contrary, postponing fertility disorders therapy could mean a lower chance of success at a later date. Of course, our aim has been and still is to minimise the risks of any Covid-19 transmission as much as possible. Our epidemiological rules are at the highest possible level. In addition, healthcare facilities are generally places where, given the anti-epidemic measures undertaken, the risk of transmitting any infectious disease, besides Covid-19, is minimal.
Answering Patients’ Queries
Patients were very worried about what would happen if they became infected during hormonal stimulation, before egg collection procedure, for example. If the patient had not started stimulation yet, we recommended postponing the therapy until a negative Covid-19 result. We communicated the same recommendation during the first phase of stimulation i.e. by the 6th to 7th day of cycle.
If it was just before the planned egg collection for a patient, we consulted with the National Hygiene Station on the situation and followed their recommendations on next steps. Of course, for all fertility examinations and procedures, we applied the strictest anti-epidemic measures, such as protective equipment and workplace preparation before and after contact with a Covid-19 positive patient. If the patient’s arrival in the Czech Republic from another country was prevented, we would try to communicate and arrange the egg collection locally in that country. If the government in a given country or in the Czech Republic declared a complete lockdown, in this case we could do absolutely nothing. We believed that this would not happen, as access to medical care is a fundamental human right and its restriction is contrary to laws higher than the restrictions currently being exercised.
We also addressed concerns about cases such as “What if my partner becomes infected before sperm collection? Can we use sperm in this case?” We explained that a sperm sample could be provided and processed, without it needing to take place at a fertility clinic. A sperm sample could be provided and delivered under certain conditions, such as a specified temperature and time-frame, from home or from a hotel.
We also answered on a daily basis numerous questions about possible infection of a female patient before an embryo transfer. In this case, our recommendation was easier: the embryos would be cryopreserved and stored safely within our laboratory, and the transfer procedure postponed until the patient was completely healthy and ready. There is no need to worry about freezing embryos. The chances of pregnancy are identical when using fresh or frozen embryos. There have been countless other queries including flights, accommodation, testing options and more.
Related Article – The Similarities between Coronavirus Lockdown and a Fertility Struggle
Some Patient Testimonials
From Clare, London via the FPP Facebook
“My husband and I travelled to Prague for IVF treatment after becoming disillusioned with the process in the UK. We were impressed with Fertility Port’s honesty and transparency right from the start of our journey. We made good progress on each visit to the fertility clinic and every stage of the process was made clear to us. The process was straightforward and we received a lot of practical support over the months both in Prague and back home in London. A little over a year later, we are delighted to have welcomed a new baby into the world! He is a healthy, adorable little boy who we are amazed by every day! For anyone considering IVF abroad, I would wholeheartedly recommend Fertility Port.”
From Leah Robinson –
“Been with this clinic over the last few months. Traveling to a different country for care can be scary. These doctors and coordinators have made the process easy, as stress free as IVF can be, and provided quality medical care. Would recommend to everyone. Love the individualized care and smaller facility feel. It’s nice feeling like a cared for person, not just another medical case.”
From Mary O’Connel –
“I have been very happy to undergo IVF treatment at FertilityPort. Everybody was very friendly and helpful and the whole procedure went smoothly. Choosing the right clinic is one of the most difficult decisions and feel I did the right thing. Highly recommended”
Related Article – Jess and Ryan’s Story of Changing Fertility Clinics and Hope
What’s the Situation Now?
During the pandemic, which is persisting with short breaks throughout the year, interest in therapies, whether with own or donated eggs, has not diminished much. Only during the spring months, when the situation was significantly worse, did we notice a decline in interest and demand for therapy. However, patients quickly realized that they could not wait any longer if they wanted to start treatment. During this period, no one knew how long this situation would last. We had several brave and determined couples who were not afraid to take risks and decided to fly from their country and entered the Czech Republic as soon as possible. Some uncertainty about therapy planning and preparation persists even today, but interest is increasing and we are all looking forward to an optimistic start to the New Year 2021. We are convinced that this difficult situation will soon pass, simply because the first vaccines for Covid-19 are soon to be available.
We look forward to a better tomorrow and to all our new family additions, because we at FertilityPort Prague are simply eternal optimists – FertilityPort Prague – life begins here…
