Frequently asked questions about fertility and assisted reproduction (XIV)

As you may know, we regularly participate in La Opinión de Málaga’s live chat section, “Ask a Specialist”. Through this collaboration, Dr. Álvarez, medical director of URE Centro Gutenberg, answers live questions about fertility and assisted reproduction from future mothers and fathers.

Due to the situation caused by COVID-19, many patients have had concerns related to fertility treatments during the pandemic. We’ve compiled and answered the most frequent questions about fertility and assisted reproduction here.

What precautions should I take if I’m pregnant during COVID-19?

Preventive measures are the same for everyone: physical distancing, frequent handwashing, avoiding face-touching, staying home, and following government guidelines.

However, extra caution is necessary for pregnant women, as pregnancy involves a special immunological state that can make women more vulnerable. For this reason, pregnant women are now considered a high-risk group, along with people over 60 and those with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, or immunosuppression.

Is it advisable to try for a pregnancy right now?

COVID-19 is a new infection, and we don’t yet fully understand its implications. While most pregnancies with COVID-19 have progressed well, it’s unclear what the real risks are if a pregnant woman becomes infected.

Therefore, our recommendation is to delay trying to conceive for a few months as a precaution.

I’m 43 and had poor ICSI results. Should I try again or consider other options?

At 43, with low ovarian reserve, the chances of a successful pregnancy with your own eggs are very low. You can try another cycle knowing the low odds, or consider IVF with donor eggs, which offers over a 50% success rate.

My IVF cycle was cancelled due to the pandemic. Will this delay affect my chances?

Since the long-term effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy are still unclear, fertility societies have recommended delaying treatments until it’s safer to proceed.

A 1–2 month delay does not significantly affect your chances of success once treatments resume.

I’m 30, diagnosed with PCOS, and taking several medications. Can these harm the embryo?

Assuming your doctor prescribed and monitors your treatment, these medications do not pose a risk to the embryo. As for intercourse, the key is frequency—less than 2–3 times per week may lower your chances, but there’s no upper limit.

Does COVID-19 have side effects on the fetus?

So far, pregnancies affected by COVID-19 haven’t shown different outcomes from the general population. Some cases have led to ICU admissions, and transmission during birth has been reported, though outcomes have generally been good.

Based on previous coronavirus infections, there’s a possible higher risk of miscarriage in the first trimester and preterm birth in later stages.

I’m 33 weeks pregnant and trying to avoid infection. If I get COVID-19, what should I do?

Treatment depends on the severity. If asymptomatic or mild, you’ll likely recover at home with telehealth follow-up. Severe cases require hospital care. Infection in the third trimester may increase preterm birth risk, and fetal transmission during delivery has been documented, though with positive outcomes (The Lancet).

Should I skip in-person checkups during pregnancy?

If your pregnancy is progressing normally, it’s best to stay home and only attend essential checkups like the first ultrasound, and those at 12 and 20 weeks. For doubts or mild symptoms, consult your doctor online whenever possible.

Can I undergo IVF now or should I wait?

In general, IVF can be performed, but embryo transfer is postponed until it’s considered safe. Embryos should be vitrified (frozen). Ovarian stimulation is also limited during the state of emergency, except in urgent cases such as fertility preservation before cancer treatment.

We want to thank all the mothers and fathers who participated in the live chat with Dr. Álvarez. Through these questions about fertility and assisted reproduction, we hope to offer support and clarity during this difficult time.