Supplementary Table 1.
The study questionnaire, along with answers stratified based on country of origin and age group
| Questions and answers | Patient origin | Total (answers) n, (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||
| National n, (%) | Cross-border n, (%) | ||
| Q1. Fertility treatment postponement due to COVID-19 outbreak | |||
| <3 months | 8 (19) | 4 (6.2) | 12 (11.3) |
| 3–6 months | 3 (7.1) | 11 (17.2) | 14 (13.3) |
| >6 months | 5 (11.9) | 35 (54.7) | 40 (37.7) |
| No postponement | 26 (62) | 14 (21.9) | 40 (37.7) |
| No response given | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Q2. If you have postponed your treatment which are the main reasons? | |||
| Access restrictions | 7 (17) | 40 (62.5) | 47 (44.3) |
| Financial reasons | 4 (9.5) | 0 | 4 (3.8) |
| Health condition | 2 (4.7) | 0 | 2 (1.9) |
| Psychological reasons | 0 | 2 (3.1) | 2 (1.9) |
| >2 answers | 3 (7.1) | 11 (17.2) | 14 (13.2) |
| No response given | 26 (61.7) | 11 (17.2) | 37 (34.9) |
| Q3. Which of the following access restrictions have you experienced as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in your fertility treatment? | |||
| My healthcare provider cancelled my IVF treatment | 5 (12) | 1 (1.6) | 6 (5.7) |
| My healthcare provider suggests to freeze my embryos/sperm | 1 (2.4) | 0 | 1 (0.9) |
| My visits (consultation) changed from in-person to phone or telemedicine/video | 1 (2.4) | 1 (1.6) | 2 (1.9) |
| Nothing changed in my IVF care or birth plan | 16 (38) | 6 (9.4) | 22 (20.7) |
| Limited travelling options | 6 (14.3) | 40 (67.3) | 46 (43.6) |
| I (or my partner) was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 | 4 (9.5) | 1 (1.6) | 5 (4.7) |
| >2 and/or other answers | 4 (9.5) | 12 (18.8) | 16 (15) |
| No response given | 5 (11.9) | 3 (4.7) | 8 (7.5) |
| Q4. Type of fertility treatment that was postponed | |||
| Fertility consultation | 1 (2.4) | 5 (7.8) | 6 (5.6) |
| IVF | 1 (2.4) | 1 (1.6) | 2 (1.9) |
| Intrauterine insemination | 11 (26.2) | 23 (36) | 34 (32) |
| Frozen embryo transfer | 1 (2.4) | 0 | 1 (0.9) |
| Reproductive surgery | 5 (11.9) | 22 (34.3) | 27 (25.5) |
| No response given | 23 (54.7) | 13 (20.3) | 36 (34.1) |
| Q5. How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected your desire to have a child? | |||
| My desire was extremely adversely affected | 1 (2.4) | 11 (17.2) | 12 (11.3) |
| My desire was mildly adversely affected | 9 (21.4) | 12 (18.8) | 21 (19.8) |
| My desire has not been affected at all | 32 (76.2) | 39 (60.9) | 71 (67) |
| No response given | 0 | 2 (3.1) | 2 (1.9) |
| Q6. Did you experience fear to undergo an assisted reproduction treatment during COVID-19 pandemic crisis? | |||
| Extremely | 2 (4.8) | 4 (6.3) | 6 (5.7) |
| Mildly | 16 (38) | 22 (34.4) | 38 (35.8) |
| Not at all | 22 (52.3) | 36 (56.2) | 58 (54.7) |
| No response given | 2 (4.9) | 2 (3.1) | 4 (3.8) |
| Q7. Did you experience stress of a decrease in fertility potential due to the postponement of your fertility treatment for an undefined period of time? | |||
| Extremely | 9 (21.4) | 26 (40.6) | 35 (33.2) |
| Mildly | 12 (28.6) | 22 (34.4) | 34 (32) |
| Not at all | 20 (47.6) | 14 (21.9) | 34 (32) |
| No response given | 1 (2.4) | 2 (3.1) | 3 (2.8) |
| Q8. In case you had a successful fertility treatment, have you experienced added stress or fear due to potential effects of COVID-19 pandemic in your health and your foetus? | |||
| Extremely | 8 (19) | 4 (6.3) | 12 (11.3) |
| Mildly | 14 (33.3) | 22 (34.4) | 36 (34) |
| Not at all | 10 (23.8) | 23 (35.9) | 33 (31.1) |
| No response given | 10 (23.9) | 15 (23.4) | 25 (23.6) |
| Q9. What are your thoughts and feelings regarding the COVID-19 vaccination? | |||
| I am concerned that my fertility potential will decrease further due to additional postponement of my fertility treatment | 2 (4.8) | 21 (32.8) | 23 (21.7) |
| I am worried about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy | 22 (40.5) | 20 (31.3) | 42 (39.6) |
| I do not have any concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine | 12 (28.6) | 13 (20.3) | 25 (23.6) |
| I am planning to do the COVID-19 vaccine and wait until it is safe to start my fertility treatment | 3 (7.1) | 7 (10.9) | 10 (9.4) |
| No response given | 3 (7.1) | 3 (4.7) | 6 (5.7) |
| Q10. Are you trying to achieve pregnancy by natural conception during COVID-19 pandemic? | |||
| Yes | 18 (42.9) | 30 (46.9) | 48 (45.3) |
| No | 24 (52.3) | 32 (50) | 56 (52.8) |
| No response given | 0 | 2 (3.1) | 2 (1.9) |
| Q11. Are you aware of the protective measures taken by IVF centre to guarantee your safety during COVID-19? | |||
| Yes | 40 (95.2) | 45 (70.3) | 85 (80.2) |
| No | 2 (4.8) | 16 (25) | 18 (17) |
| No response given | 0 | 3 (4.7) | 3 (2.8) |
| Q12. Did the implementation of a strict COVID-19 policy by your IVF centre affect positively your decision to undergo treatment? | |||
| Yes | 36 (85.6) | 40 (60.9) | 76 (62.2) |
| No | 5 (12) | 14 (21.9) | 29 (27.4) |
| No response given | 1 (2.4) | 10 (17.2) | 11 (10.4) |
| Q13. What are your future fertility plans? | |||
| I will perform fertility treatment in my home country to avoid travelling restrictions | 27 (64.3) | 4 (6.3) | 31 (29.2) |
| I will travel abroad seeking for fertility treatment in the following months despite the COVID-19 pandemic | 1 (2.4) | 38 (59.3) | 39 (36.9) |
| I will wait until COVID-19 crisis is over | 1 (2.4) | 11 (17.2) | 12 (11.3) |
| I am not currently thinking about future fertility plans | 10 (23.8) | 7 (10.9) | 17 (16) |
| No response given | 3 (7.1) | 4 (6.3) | 7 (6.6) |
| Q14. What sources of information regarding COVID-19 and infertility treatment do you use during the COVID-19 pandemic? | |||
| Internet | 9 (21.4) | 24 (37.5) | 33 (31.1) |
| TV | 0 | 9 (14) | 9 (8.5) |
| Webinars | 1 (2.4) | 5 (7.8) | 6 (5.7) |
| Social media | 0 | 2 (3.1) | 2 (1.9) |
| E-mails and phone calls from your IVF centre | 26 (61.9) | 22 (34.4) | 48 (45.3) |
| Others | 4 (9.5) | 1 (1.6) | 5 (4.7) |
| No response given | 2 (4.8) | 1 (1.6) | 3 (2.8) |
| Q15. Have you communicated with your IVF centre to talk about the reasons (access, physiological, medical and financial) of your treatment postponement due to COVID-19 outbreak? | |||
| Yes, our communication helped to find solutions | 24 (57.2) | 42 (65.7) | 66 (62.3) |
| No, I don’t find useful | 8 (19) | 9 (14) | 17 (16) |
| No response given | 10 (23.8) | 13 (20.3) | 23 (21.7) |
| Q16. Would you like to receive more information from the IVF centre about COVID-19 and its implications on IVF treatment/pregnancy? | |||
| Yes, I would like to receive professional guidance instead of other sources | 29 (69) | 45 (70.3) | 74 (69.8) |
| No, I don’t think it is necessary | 12 (28.6) | 18 (28.1) | 30 (28.3) |
| No response given | 1 (2.4) | 1 (1.6) | 2 (1.9) |
| Total (categories) | 42 (39.6) | 64 (60.4) | 106 (100) |
IVF=In vitro fertilisation, COVID-19=Coronavirus disease 2019, SARS-CoV-2=Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2