COVID-19 Impact on Fertility and Pregnancy

Background: The emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic has posed significant challenges to the field of reproductive medicine. Aim: This talk will update the audience on the timeline of the pandemic, emergence of recommendations regarding fertility and reproductive medicine care, present state of the pandemic, vaccine development, data on vaccination in pregnancy, and combatting misinformation/vaccine hesitancy. Method: Review of current literature, review of guidance documents from international societies Results: Maternal morbidity with COVID-19 is greater than that seen in non-pregnant counterparts. This skews the risk/benefit profile in favor of vaccination, even in the absence of randomized clinic trials that did not include pregnant women. Emerging vaccination data are showing a favorable safety profile of the vaccine and vaccination should be encouraged in all women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy. Conclusion: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should help to guide provision of reproductive care in future pandemics.