How Does Coronavirus Affect Fertility and Pregnancy?

Coronavirus can have a serious, even deadly, impact on pregnant women. If you’ve questioned whether or not you should get vaccinated, we urge you not to wait. We’re here to help remove any confusion you may have about the coronavirus, its vaccine, and how it can affect your fertility or pregnancy. Our mission at Fertility Centers of New England is to help our patients achieve successful pregnancies and have healthy, happy babies.

How does coronavirus affect fertility and pregnancy?

We recommend that all women who are considering getting pregnant or entering infertility treatment get vaccinated as soon as possible. There is no evidence that the vaccine causes infertility, miscarriage, or pregnancy loss.

Women who become infected with coronavirus are more likely to become severely ill and be hospitalized. In August 2021, COVID mortality rates among pregnant women were at their highest due to un-vaccination. Additionally, pregnancy loss has been observed among women with other coronaviruses in the past.

Among men, studies have shown that “moderate to severe COVID infections have caused decreased sperm count, testicular inflammation, sperm duct inflammation, and testicular pain in men of reproductive age. Although not considered common complications of COVID in particular, these effects are often associated with reduced fertility, and are enough to lead scientists to hypothesize that COVID may cause fertility issues in men.”

 

What happens if I become pregnant while ill with coronavirus?

Since pregnant women are known to be at increased risk of severe complications from coronavirus, wait at least ten days after your symptoms start, or you receive a positive test before trying to conceive.

If you do become pregnant while infected with COVID, monitor your symptoms closely and be aware of signs that your illness is becoming more severe. Also, be sure to alert your care providers, whether that be your general practitioner, obstetrician, fertility doctor, or other. The CDC recommends getting the vaccine regardless of whether or not you’ve previously been infected with coronavirus, so be sure to schedule a vaccination date as soon as possible after recovering from the illness.

Can coronavirus be passed to a baby during pregnancy?

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, COVID-19 may pass to the fetus during pregnancy, but this seems to be rare. In order to protect yourself and your baby, the CDC strongly urges all pregnant women to get the vaccine. According to data from the CDC, one in five women who are pregnant and contract the disease have to be hospitalized. Additionally, pregnant women are more likely to be admitted into an intensive care unit and experience a 70% increased risk of death due to COVID-19. Hospitalization of pregnant women can have severe impacts on babies, including premature birth.

There is clear evidence that the vaccine does not cause infertility, miscarriage, or pregnancy loss.

Does coronavirus affect eggs?

It’s not known if it affects oocytes, however, studies demonstrate the virus in follicular fluid of pregnant women. Initiating fertility therapy should be postponed if you have flu-like symptoms and/or for two weeks if you have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus or has been in contact with someone who has the disease.

What else should infertility patients do during this pandemic?

Infertility can be extremely stressful for some. Undergoing care for infertility should not be. We at Fertility Centers of New England are here to help you every step of the way on your journey to parenthood. Maintaining calm together with a good measure of common sense in following the guidelines provided in coronavirus.gov will see you through.

Contact Us

If you have more questions on COVID-19 and fertility, please contact us for a consultation. We will find the right path for you.

This blog has been updated on December 3, 2021