COVID DOESN’T STOP BABY BOOM
ONE business that has continued strongly during the coronavirus is the business of having babies … even through IVF.
The Number 1 Fertility clinic says it is “busier than ever” despite having to introduce safety measures to continue IVF treatments during COVID lockdowns.
Fertility specialist Dr Lynn Burmeister said the pandemic had created unique challenges for the Waurn Ponds clinic, but by adopting strict safety protocols it had been able to successfully stay open.
“It has been a very stressful time for women receiving IVF treatment during the lockdown, but I am proud that we have been able to keep treatment going and help many women achieve their dream of having a baby,’’ Dr Burmeister said.
During the lockdown, the clinic dramatically changed procedures to ensure minimal patient contact, used personal protection equipment at all times including masks and all workstations were regularly sanitised.
Staff working at the clinic were also divided into teams and have not had face-to-face contact, plus phone and virtual consultations via Zoom, FaceTime and WhatsApp have become the norm.
Patients are required to complete a COVID screen and receive a negative result that remains valid for one week prior to their egg collection, per hospital requirements. At times, patients have to repeat this test if their cycle is long and all patients have to remain isolated between getting their test until post procedure.
On August 28, a client at the clinic, St Leonards mum Kerryn Ramsay, gave birth to son Sam who was the 200th baby born thanks to the clinic’s IVF treatments.
Ms Ramsay said she and husband Danny had been trying to become parents for a couple of years prior to starting the IVF program.
She said the first round of her IVF program was unsuccessful but Dr Burmeister changed some of her medications and she successfully implanted an egg in the next round of treatment, only for that to end in a miscarriage at eight weeks. The next round six months later resulted in a fullterm pregnancy and the arrival of Sam.
Ms Ramsay, who was also grateful for the support of obstetrician Karl Najjar, said other than the overall trepidation of being pregnant during COVID-19, the rest of the process had been fairly smooth despite the extra restrictions in place.
“Probably the most challenging part was not having my husband at the ultrasound appointments,” she said.
Dr Burmeister said the changes that were implemented meant COVID had not impacted the number of pregnancies as patients have been able to continue their treatment uninterrupted throughout this period.
“In fact, we are busier than ever, but we are looking forward to getting back into the normal routine and meeting our new patients that have joined since the COVID restrictions face-to-face,” she said.
Based in the Epworth Private Hospital, Number 1 Fertility celebrated its first egg collection in February 2018.