Coronavirus Updates | LGBTQ Fertility & Family Planning

We're here for you.

If you're considering the start of a family building journey, or currently in treatment, we know that you're wondering how the coronavirus could affect your future family. We'll be providing updates to help you stay informed, safe, and to help you keep moving forward. Please know that this page was last updated on Tuesday, June 30th.

✍️ A Note from Our Team

We want you to know that your health, and the health of our staff, is our number one priority.

We are taking the Coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19) seriously, and your concerns have been heard. We want to thank you all for your patience and cooperation during this time. We pledge to provide you with the best possible care and fertility treatment.

We are constantly updating the information below as new mandates and recommendations are supplied by the CDC and CT Department of Health. 

Make sure you bookmark this page 📖to stay up to date on all RMA of Connecticut COVID-19 policies and safety regulations and how they affect our Gay Parents To Be program.

What are we doing here at Gay Parents To Be?

Gay Parents To Be and RMA of Connecticut are following all necessary best practices to keep our staff and patients safe. Our policies are being updated based on recommendations from the CDC and the CT Department of Health.

Please note that at this time, all visits are by appointment only. No walk-ins will be permitted. Please call for an appointment or speak to your nurse via email or telephone with questions.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Please review the information below for the latest on how the new travel guidelines may relate to your treatment plan.

For further information for new patients and existing ones, keep reading below.

For New Patients

For Existing Patients

👉For Dads To Be

• If you have a previously scheduled initial consultation, a staff member will be reaching out with more details. All initial consultations are now being conducted virtually.
• If you have appointments or procedures scheduled, your nurse and patient navigator will be able to provide more detailed information. Please reach out to your designated care team if you have questions about your personal family building plan.
• If you are producing a specimen, you will be asked to produce off-site and drop off the specimen at a set time. Collection kits with paperwork and instructions will be provided.
• If you, your donor, or your gestational carrier live outside of the tri-state area (CT, NJ, NY) your care team will be reaching out to you with more information. You can also access guidelines and FAQs related to the travel advisory here.

👉For Moms To Be

• If you have a previously scheduled initial consultation, a staff member will be reaching out with more details. All initial consultations are now being conducted virtually.
• If you have appointments or procedures scheduled, your nurse and patient navigator will be able to provide more detailed information. Please reach out to your designated care team if you have questions about your personal family building plan.
• All patients and staff coming to the office will be required to wear a cloth face covering. We ask that you please bring your own. This can be a mask, scarf, bandana, etc. 
• Morning monitoring will be by appointment only. The goal is to minimize the number of patients in the waiting room at the same time.
• Telehealth consultations are still being conducted for all patients services like nutrition, genetic counseling, emotional support, fertility coaching, and fertility counseling.
• Upon arrival at the office, everyone (including staff) will be screened. This includes taking your temperature, checking on your history of COVID-19 connections, and asking about any COVID-19 symptoms you may be experiencing. We will also ask you to wash your hands once in the office.
• Unfortunately, partners and other support persons cannot accompany you for any visit in the office or come into the waiting room at this time.
• If you are undergoing any surgical procedures that require anesthesia, you must be tested for COVID-19. Your clinical team will help you coordinate those details.

This is a confusing time, and it's natural to have questions! Reach out to us via phone, or check out our list of frequently asked questions below 👇

Do you have more questions about coronavirus and your consultation or treatment? Give our new patient team a call at 203.956.2266 and we'll do our best to figure it out together. 

Or, click for a contact form, and we will reach out to you.

LGBTQ Fertility & Coronavirus | FAQs 

❓I have an initial appointment (consultation) scheduled, should I cancel it? 

Not at all. As of right now, we're offering initial consultations with our physicians via telemedicine (Zoom meetings are our friends!) While we are doing our best to limit the number of visitors to our offices and waiting rooms, the opportunity to get some information from the safety of your own home is a great way to start building a plan.

❓Will I need to be tested for COVID-19 to move forward with fertility treatment?

Possibly. If you're a mom-to-be or a donor getting ready for a procedure like an egg retrieval or other surgery, we are requiring all patients undergoing anesthesia to be tested for the disease. Why? Because COVID-19 compromises your respiratory system, and anesthesia can exacerbate that.

❓Do I have to wear a mask in the office?

Yes, and unfortunately, we cannot let you in the office without one. 

❓Are you conducting all appointments in the office now?

We are using telemedicine for all new patient appointments, nutrition counseling, genetic counseling, emotional support, and fertility coaching. Most testing, bloodwork, procedures, and other in-person necessities will be conducted in the appropriate office.

❓Is my spouse allowed to come to the appointment with me?

Unfortunately, we cannot allow anyone other than the patient into our offices at this time. Of course, spouses and other support persons can attend your telehealth consultations, but for in-office visits, they will need to stay home.

❓If I, my partner, or my surrogate becomes pregnant and then acquires COVID-19, will the baby be in danger?

According to the CDC and very preliminary research, if a person carrying a pregnancy acquires the coronavirus, it does not seem to cross the placenta to the baby. However, this research is based on a very small number of pregnancies, and there isn't enough information to be sure of anything. If you or your surrogate are pregnant and affected by COVID-19, you will be followed very closely to protect both you and the baby.

❓I'm stressed! Who can I speak to about if I have more questions?

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