Kia ora,
Auckland Tamaki Makaurau is moving to the COVID-19 Protection Framework on 3rd December. In order to protect our clients, staff and the healthcare system in general, we have additional layers of protection in place. We are here to support all Repromed clients and will be operating with the following new safety precautions from 30th November.
Kia ora,
Those clients who are going through fertility treatment, or about to start treatment, may be wondering about the safety of being immunised against COVID-19. We know that this will be of particular interest to those working in sectors which have made vaccinations mandatory, and if fertility treatment fits the criteria for medical exemption.
Based on international research, there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine effects fertility so fertility treatment can continue during immunisation. Therefore, unless there is a health concern, our advice is not to delay vaccination.
In a release on 29th October 2021, RANZCOG (Royal Australian & NZ College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) has advised:
RANZCOG has issued clear and unequivocal advice that mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 are recommended for all people trying to conceive (either spontaneously, or through IVF), pregnant, or breastfeeding.
This advice is based on robust data supporting safety in these circumstances. Specifically, there is no evidence of a negative impact on fertility, no evidence of an increased risk of miscarriage, fetal harm, pregnancy outcomes or the health of the breastfed neonate.
Conversely, infection with COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of severe disease, hospitalisation, admission to intensive care, ventilation, and death, in pregnant women, and an increased risk of prematurity and stillbirth.
RANZCOG reiterates our advice that trying to conceive, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, are not reasons for medical exemption from receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Read full details of their current vaccine guidelines here.
For specific information about the impact of the COVID-19 vaccination on the quality and rhythm of egg, sperm and menstrual cycle, see this article from The Immunisation Advisory Centre: Can mRNA COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility or affect future babies?
Evidence shows there is no biologically plausible reason why this vaccine could have any effect on our genes or fertility and there is strong evidence it does not.
We have a Q&A on our website with your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine answered.
We know this will be a personal decision and we encourage you to discuss any concerns. If you have any queries about the COVID-19 vaccine and your treatment, please email or call 0800 483 105 and talk to your nursing team.
Nga mihi,
Dr Devashana Gupta
Medical Director
Kia ora,
Auckland Tamaki Makaurau is at COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and we are here to support all Repromed clients. Minimising community transmission is critical so we will be operating with the necessary safety precautions and limitations – however good news, most of Repromed services and treatments continue at Alert Level 3.
Kia ora,
As you would expect, with the rising cases of Covid-19 in Auckland, the safety of our clients and our team is top priority. Therefore, from Friday 22nd October, we require a negative Covid-19 test to be completed by all clients as part of treatment cycles.
Dr Devashana Gupta has recorded a Q&A video with the most commonly asked questions about the Covid-19 vaccine and what it means for those who are trying to conceive.
Kia ora,
Those clients who are going through fertility treatment, or about to start treatment, may be wondering about the safety of being immunised against COVID-19.
The NZ Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience have kindly allowed us to share this overview of practical strategies for coping with the impact of COVID-19 in our lives. It is not specifically fertility related, but our counselling team felt that the tips in here were helpful and relevant. Click here to open the PDF.
Kia ora,
You will be aware from our Alert Level 4 lockdown update on Wednesday 18th August, that again COVID-19 has unfortunately impacted on our ability to provide a full fertility service at this time. For people who were currently undergoing treatment at the time of lockdown, we remain committed to completing them with some exceptions and conditions outlined below.
Kia ora,
We know our clients will be wondering about the safety of being immunised when undergoing, or about to start, fertility treatment. The advice remains the same from The Ministry of Health – there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine effects fertility, so fertility treatment can continue during immunisation. However, it will be a personal decision and we encourage you to discuss any concerns with your Repromed fertility doctor.
We follow the advice of RANZCOG (Royal Australian & NZ College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), read their new update HERE. A summary of key points is below:
If you have completed one round of IVF, the University of Auckland invites you to complete a survey. The purpose of this survey is to ask you about how you would feel about some things that might be asked of consumers when taking part in clinical trial research, for example, taking extra medicines during fertility treatment. The results of the survey will help shape a planned clinical research trial and help improve the quality of medicines and procedures offered by health services in support of women’s reproductive health.
The survey will take around 5 minutes, is confidential and there is no obligation to be part of a future clinical trial.
If you wish to participate, please click here.
Repromed are proud sponsors of the Surrogacy and Egg Donation event on Saturday 21st August. Due to Lockdown in Auckland, this seminar we will be now be hosted via Zoom.
Hosted by Tamati Coffey, this event is a chance for intended parents, parents, egg donors, surrogates, and experts to share stories and learn from each other. Repromed’s Helen Nicholson will be presenting an overview of the process including counselling and other guidelines required by NZ regulators.
Tickets from $5, click to find out more and book here: https://www.growingfamilies.org/auckland/
I feel so lucky to be able to be involved in creating a family’s life journey. I just love it, it’s truly amazing and deeply satisfying. Working on the donor sperm programme is particularly rewarding, it gives same sex couples and single women the opportunity to conceive, people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to have a baby of their own. The relationships I build with the donors and the recipients is really special and so rewarding for me as I get to support them through the journey they are on. Every day I get a buzz from the amazing thought – this client is now pregnant and that is the direct result of what we have done for them. A year later they bring their beautiful babies into the clinic to show them off, and every single time it blows me away. It’s an honour.
Almost every client through our doors is interested in whether they qualify for public funding of fertility treatment. We’ve asked Repromed public funding coordinator, Vanessa Holmes, to provide answers to the common questions she is asked.
Special Public Ceremony on Saturday 1st May in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. 🌱
Those struggling with infertility can feel they have nothing tangible to grieve and it can also be a lonely journey. The Seeds of Hope ceremony can help by offering the chance to acknowledge losses, by being able to put words to feelings thereby recognising that loss and grief is real. This thoughtful event has been designed and created to assist in the healing process and to provide hope where attendees are able to acknowledge the losses connected with infertility. Click here to learn more including details of how to register your interest.
Neil and I both have a wonderful blended family, between us we have three amazing teenagers from previous marriages, and when our family was on an even keel, we decided we wanted to add another child to our family.
When we married, we weren’t sure that natural conception would be possible as I had been diagnosed with low ovarian reserve age 29. We decided to try for a pregnancy when I was 36; a decision which took us on an intense 5 year journey suffering the tragedy of pregnancy losses, life threatening complications and unsuccessful fertility treatment, before we eventually met our darling boy, Noah.
