Like our patients, Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility is expanding its family with a new Cleveland area location now open in Independence, OH joining our family of clinics already located in Columbus, Akron, Canton and Youngstown. RGI is known for offering the most advanced fertility therapy and in vitro fertilization with a 100% IVF guarantee. If you’ve been trying to conceive for more than 12 consecutive months (six consecutive months for women over the age of 35) your doctor may recommend fertility treatments.

In vitro fertilization is a way to achieve pregnancy outside the body. The process involves monitoring and stimulating a woman’s ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova (unfertilized egg) from the woman’s ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them in a laboratory setting.

Specializing in advanced IVF techniques

Standard IVF is a powerful fertility therapy that has helped thousands of men and women achieve pregnancy. However, if you’ve tried IVF unsuccessfully or suffer from certain conditions that make IVF less effective, the board-certified endocrinologists at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility are specialized in the following advanced techniques and more:

• Preimplantation genetic screening & diagnosis (PGS/PGD)
  This test helps identify the healthiest embryos and improves your chance of implantation. PGS is a general screening of embryos that looks for genetic abnormalities and PGD is used to test for genetic disease.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
  If your fertility issues are related to impaired sperm motility, the ICSI technique facilitates fertilization by injecting an individual sperm directly into the egg.
• Freezing and storing of eggs and embryos (cryopreservation)
  Cryopreservation can preserve your fertility for over 10 years. It’s a great solution for women who have extra eggs or embryos following IVF. It can also help preserve fertility if you need to delay starting your family due to personal or medical reasons.

If you live in Ohio and have been searching for safe, effective ‘IVF near me,’ visit Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility and learn how we can help you overcome your unique fertility issues and achieve pregnancy. Call 866-537-2461 to schedule an initial consultation.

Important Notice About COVID-19 and the Coronavirus Vaccine

To Our Patients:

As your healthcare provider, we value—and are committed to—your health and the health of your family. We also understand that you have concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has now been designated a global pandemic.

At all times, we prioritize optimal health, safety and infection control During this outbreak we are continuing to do so with special vigilance and focus.

We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and carefully following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. In addition, we are taking specific measures to protect you, your family, our employees and the communities we serve.

As things change, we will adjust our policies and practices to respond appropriately to new developments. At the same time, we will keep you informed about best infection-control practices and what you need to know to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

How can you limit your exposure to the virus?

The best way to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is to avoid being exposed to the virus, which at this time is thought to spread mainly person-to-person. How do you do that?

• Wash your hands with soap and water – frequently and for at least 20 seconds each time
• If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching your face
• Maintain “social distancing” between others (about six feet apart)
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze (and immediately wash or sanitize your hands)

What should you do if you’re sick?

• Stay home except to get medical care when moderately ill – avoid public areas, transportation, events, etc.
• If you’re around other ill persons or caring for others, wear a facemask (N95)
• Cover coughs and sneezes, wash/sanitize hands and clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces daily
• Monitor symptoms – seek prompt medical care if symptoms worsen
• Call your doctor before seeking care, including for appointments scheduled for other reasons
• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency

COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant Women and Women Contemplating Pregnancy

The doctors at RGI are following guidelines set forth from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

For women who are planning to conceive:

• The COVID-19 vaccination is encouraged for all women who are planning to conceive or who are undergoing infertility treatment.
• Since the COVID-19 vaccine does not contain a live virus, there is no reason to delay pregnancy because of vaccine administration.
• A pregnancy test is not required prior to vaccine administration.
• There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccine induces infertility.

For women who are pregnant:

• ACOG recommends that the COVID-19 vaccine should not be withheld from pregnant women
• Pregnancy is a strong risk factor for the development of serious complications of COVID-19 infection and increases the risk of ICU admissions, intubation, and death. Additional risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure may further increase the chance of developing severe disease from COVID-19 infection.
• We respect and support the decision of our pregnant patients to receive or not receive the vaccine. Pregnant women should consider the level of activity of the pandemic in their community, the potential efficacy of the vaccine, the potential risk and severity of maternal and fetal effects of COVID-19 infection, and the safety of the vaccine.
• Since the vaccine trials did not include pregnant women, we are unable to evaluate the safety data for pregnant women. However, existing safety data suggests that the risk of fetal harm from mRNA vaccines is very low.

All patients regardless of vaccine status must continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.

For more information:

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – Vaccinating Pregnant and Lactating Patients Against COVID-19

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Coronavirus/COVID-19 Task Force

Rest assured that we at Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility are taking this outbreak, and our responsibility as your trusted provide, seriously. We will continue evaluating developments and taking appropriate actions to reduce exposure and keep you up-to-date.

To Request an Appointment Call 866-537-2461 Or Use Our Easy Online Contact Form

Originally Presented by ASRM and the MHPG

Developed by the Mental Health Professional Group

Re-published by Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility

Q: If I’m trying to get pregnant, should I stop trying to conceive due to the Coronavirus?

A: If you don’t have COVID-19, there is no medical reason to change your plans regarding trying to conceive. However, there may be logistical, psychological, and emotional reasons to modify your plans. For example, there may be less access to routine prenatal care. Out of an abundance of caution, you may consider postponing pregnancy. This is a very personal decision, and you should speak with your doctor for specific recommendations.

Q: We are ready to start fertility treatments. Is it okay to continue during the pandemic?

A: As of March 17, 2020, the COVID-19 Task Force of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) issued clinical recommendations. These recommendations were reviewed on March 31st by the ASRM COVID-19 Task Force which chose, at that time, to keep the recommendations substantially the same. The Task Force is committed to review of these recommendations at least every two weeks. The recommendations suggest that clinics:

1. Don’t initiate new treatment cycles — including ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (both egg retrievals and frozen embryo transfers), and non-urgent egg or embryo freezing.
2. Strongly consider canceling all embryo transfers (fresh or frozen).
3. Continue caring for patients who are “in-cycle,” or have urgent needs for stimulation or cryo-preservation (egg or embryo freezing), such as in cases of eminent surgery or start of medications that would affect fertility.
4. Postpone elective surgeries and any non-urgent diagnostic procedures.
5. Prioritize telemedicine over in-person contact.

Q: Will contracting COVID-19 now impact fertility later?

A: Research is still ongoing in this area. There are no studies indicating that the virus has any impact on fertility. While Coronavirus fears have caused some people to seek out egg freezing, there is no known medical indication to seek out egg freezing as a preventive measure.

Q: What if I test positive for COVID-19?

A: If you already have COVID-19, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) recommends avoiding getting pregnant for now and waiting until you fully recover before attempting conception (either naturally or via assisted reproductive technology).

Q: What if I’m pregnant and test positive?

A: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pregnant women don’t appear to be at a greater risk for illness related to COVID-19 — and only 1% of pregnant women infected has experienced severe illness that required medical attention. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes that very little is known about the effect of COVID-19 on pregnant women and infants. It is unclear if COVID-19 can cross the placenta. Because pregnant women are at greater risk of severe complications from similar respiratory infections, they are considered an at-risk population for COVID-19.

Q: If I test positive, can the virus be passed to my baby?

A: A study was conducted on nine pregnant women infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. All women recovered from their illness and all nine had live births without any evidence of transmitting the virus to the baby. The virus was not detected in samples of cord blood, amniotic fluid, or throat swabs from the newborns, or breast milk. However, the COVID-19 infection was recently found in a newborn, so “vertical transmission” (meaning passage of the virus from mother to baby during the period immediately before and after birth) cannot be excluded at this point.

Q: How can I get through this? Not knowing when this will end is making my anxiety so much worse.

A: Experiencing fertility issues is difficult enough, and is often accompanied by increased levels of anxiety and depression. Adding COVID-19 to the mix exacerbates an already stressed emotional equilibrium. Please see the advice from the ASRM Mental Health Professional Group in the document, A Message from the MHPG and ASRM on Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic, for additional support.

Contributed by Janet Jaffe, Ph.D., Kristen Chambliss, Ph.D., Alison Fagan, Ph.D., Jennifer Riley, M.S.W., L.S.W., and Deb Levy, M.A., L.P.C.