Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

COVID-19 and Pregnancy FAQs

We understand that being pregnant amid this global crisis can be stressful for many of our patients. Be assured that we are working hard to offer you continued support, medical care, and evidence-based information.

Following the recommendations released by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Canada (SOGC), we would like to answer some of your most frequently asked questions during this time.

Based on data from other respiratory infections such as influenza, pregnant women are considered a vulnerable population given the changes to their respiratory status and blood volume during pregnancy. All recommendations for reduction of infection transmission should be closely followed, including good hand hygiene, confinement to the home as much as possible and social distancing.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) acknowledges the need for guidance related to the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy and during lactation. We recognize the difficulty facing women and their health care providers at this time, due to the absence of clinical trials that can support evidence-informed recommendations about the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant and breastfeeding populations. Information related to COVID-19, the impact of the disease on pregnancy and data related to COVID-19 vaccines in development are rapidly evolving. The information contained herein is subject to change as further evidence becomes available and currently applies to the RNA based COVID-19 vaccines.
Consensus Statement: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at anytime if they are eligible and no contraindications exist. This decision is based the women’s personal values and an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Women should not be precluded from vaccination based on pregnancy status or breastfeeding.

New information is being learned all the time about COVID-19. At the present time, pregnant patients do not seem more likely to get COVID-19 than others. The majority of women who have become ill had mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, or gastrointestinal symptoms. While pregnant women have been known to often experience more severe courses with previously identified respiratory illnesses, it does not appear to be the same with COVID-19. Given that this is a new virus, we are gathering information daily and will update it with any new information

It is unlikely that the infection causes birth defects to occur given that it was not found in amniotic fluid, placenta or cord blood. Preterm birth has been reported in some cases, although it is difficult to know whether this was due to intervention done to the woman for the care of the active illness, or due to the virus itself. There does not seem to be an increase in early pregnancy loss or miscarriage. Once more, since this is a new viral strain, we will be accumulating more data with time and will update the information as it becomes available.

To date, there has been no evidence of transmission from a mother infected with COVID-19 to her baby. Studies that have tested amniotic fluid, serum, placenta and breast milk from pregnant women have shown that this type of transmission is highly unlikely. Babies who have tested positive in the neonatal period seem to have gotten infected after birth. Regardless, all newborns delivered from an infected mother will be tested for COVID-19 at birth.

We strongly recommend that pregnant patients come alone to their routine appointments whenever possible, to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

For the safety of our patients and our staff, we are not allowing partners or additional family members into the ultrasound scans. We will be happy to provide you with photos of your scans at the conclusion of your appointment to share with your loved ones.

General FAQs

The cost for a private IVF cycle can vary greatly depending on the IVF protocol prescribed by the physician. Typically, a cycle can be anywhere between $6000-12000. This does not include medication which costs an additional $3000-6000. Please check with your private insurance provider if they cover fertility medication. If desired, you will also need to pay an additional fee for pre-implantation genetic testing which starts at $5000. If you have a funded IVF cycle, please keep in mind the government does not cover medication and genetic testing.

When you are a family dealing with infertility issues, it’s difficult. Our family’s experience with Dr. Dzineku, Dr. Roumain, and their team was nothing but amazing.