Treatment Policy in Light of Coronavirus COVID-19

Caring for your health and safety has never meant more

We are continuing to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in Texas and will re-assess as needed. These are truly unprecedented times. Please know your safety as well as the safety of our staff - and everyone's family - is first and foremost in our minds.

Update as of 6.26.2020

After careful consideration, because of the recent rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in Texas over the past week, we have decided that it is not prudent to resume IUI cycles at this time. We hope to resume IUI cycles in August. We had hoped that by now, COVID-19 would be under better control and we could be returning to “treatment as usual.” We know that this will disappoint many patients who have been patiently waiting.

We have given much thought as to how to make our clinic safe for our staff and for our patients. We want to avoid a situation in which treatments would need to be halted mid-stream. Although we have been able to resume diagnostic testing and most treatments (including IVF), IUI is more problematic. We essentially need to divide our laboratory staff into two teams, working at different times, to avoid a situation in which all personnel might have to isolate at home. This presents a difficult “puzzle” to figure out even when scheduling can be predicted in advance. IUI is inherently unpredictable. IUI can be needed on Saturdays or Sundays for optimal timing and cannot be “programmed” or scheduled as easily as IVF. Although it is a strategy used by some clinics, we do not want to perform suboptimal IUI avoiding weekends by “triggering” when the eggs might not be ready.

In the event IVF cycles are stopped due to COVID-19, we will give patients a credit for future cycle at CARE Fertility when it is safe to resume treatment cycles. This credit does not include the cost of medication.

We will continue to re-evaluate the status of COVID-19 infections over the next few weeks. Please know that all of the doctors at CARE Fertility are anxious to help all of our patients. We also feel very strongly that we need to do everything we can to protect our staff, our patients and everyone's families.

Watch Dr. Kathy Doody’s video providing guidance and encouragement for patients and families struggling with infertility.

Schedule your visit

Whether you are a new or existing patient or just have questions, we are here for you.

New Patient? Schedule an Appointment

Existing Patient? Schedule a Telehealth Visit, Call 817.540.1157

Existing IVF Patient? Call 817.540.7070

Questions? Call 817.540.1157

All physician consultations including new patients and existing patients will occur via telehealth. Consultations to discuss test results and future treatment plans will also be handled by telehealth.

Updated Office Hours

Our office hours in Bedford are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Fort Worth office currently remains closed. Please check back for updates.

We know you have been waiting

Your health and the health of our staff is of the utmost importance to us. We realize the pause in evaluation and treatment has been challenging. Please know we have missed all of you and are ready to support you on your fertility journey.

Now resuming the following procedures and treatments

Frozen embryo transfer cycles.
Stimulation for fresh IVF cycles.
Current BMI cut-off for IVF and surgery is 40. The only exception is tubal reversal which has a BMI cut-off of 38 (see our tubal reversal website for more information.)
We have begun to schedule elective surgeries including those which require intubation.
Diagnostic testing (female): HSG, hysteroscopy, ultrasounds (antral follicle count, pregnancy monitoring and pelvic ultrasound) and blood tests.
Diagnostic testing (male): semen analysis, DNA fragmentation testing, sperm cryo-preservation and blood tests. Please note that all semen samples are collected off-site. Specimen container must be picked up in advance. Specimen containers are located outside our front door during business hours.
Diagnostic hysteroscopy (in the OR) as well as polyp removal. Above BMI cut-off for IVF cycles apply.

Still pausing treatment and will continue re-evaluation

IUI - Intrauterine insemination treatments are less predictable than IVF or frozen embryo transfers because timing is based on a patient’s own cycle. The timing of ovulation and needed insemination typically cannot be known until the day of a spontaneous LH (luteinizing hormone) surge. Hope to resume in August 2020.

How we are keeping you and the CARE support team safe

Everyone must wear a mask

When we are in public, all of us are instructed to wear a mask or face covering. Please follow the same guidelines for our clinic. If you do not have a mask or face covering, you will be asked to reschedule.

Screening prior to entry

We are screening patients prior to entry into the clinic. A temperature check and questions on respiratory symptoms and exposure to others will be asked.

Modified visitors

At this time, we are only allowing the individual having the appointment to enter the clinic.

Limiting treatments so we can have the right amount of staff

Our goal is to have as few patients and staff within the facility as possible. We will review treatment support to accurately predict staffing requirements.

Our process when you visit our clinic

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3
You will call us from the parking lot to check-in.	We will call you when we are ready for you. Only the individual having the appointment will be allowed into the clinic.	The medical assistant or nurse will check your temperature. If your temperature is over 99.5 degree you will be asked to reschedule.

Helpful information from us to you

Struggling with infertility? Mental health matters now more than ever By CARE Fertility on May 14, 2020

Infertility & COVID-19: Your Frequently Asked Questions
By CARE Fertility on March 26, 2020

How to cope with infertility during the coronavirus pandemic
By CARE Fertility on March 24, 2020

Everyday Hygiene and Prevention

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces – especially mobile devices – using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
Practice social distancing, following guidelines of the CDC, health agencies and local authorities.
Stay home if you are sick or feeling unwell until you are symptom-free for at least 24 hours. If you are well but have family members who are sick, you should self-quarantine yourself until symptom-free. If you have been in areas where suspected infections have been reported, please stay home!
If you are in an “at-risk health category,” you should avoid meetings or places with greater than ten people.
Re-evaluate any travel to areas with risk of community spread.

Treatments in Light of COVID-19