We are here for you
We are stronger together
As you know, COVID-19 is an evolving, ever-changing global public health issue and we are actively monitoring the situation. At ORM, we are successfully helping families on their path to parenthood through enhanced social-distancing practices engineered in our freestanding, spacious, and clean facilities. Focusing on the health and safety of our patients, staff, and physicians is our top priority balanced with providing the best reproductive care possible. Our clinics are open during normal business hours and telehealth and video consultations are available for both new and current patients. If you have questions about treatment or your fertility journey with us please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our teams are here to answer questions and help you every step of the way.
We are dedicated to protecting your dreams of family building in the safest possible way, in the safest environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, little is known about the impact of COVID-19 coronavirus on reproduction and pregnancy.
Here are some common questions we have received from concerned patients.
Can I pursue treatment?
Yes! ORM Fertility is here for you and we have resumed all fertility treatment services at this time. Our recent pause in providing most clinical services has provided us with the opportunity to evaluate our treatment protocols in response to COVID-19 and establish a system that will welcome you to our private, standalone facilities in a safe and socially distanced way. Please reach out to our team with any questions you may have regarding your care at 503-274-4994 or [email protected]
What will my visits to ORM look like moving forward?
At ORM Fertility, the health and safety of our staff and patients is has always been our top priority. We want to assure you that ORM Fertility’s freestanding, well-engineered facilities allow us to care for you in the most protected environment possible. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we have instituted additional measures to further ensure everyone’s safety.
- TELEHEALTH: We will continue to utilize video and teleconferencing for any appointments that do not require an ultrasound, bloodwork or a surgical procedure.
- COVID-19 SCREENING: Prior to entering an ORM clinic we ask that you complete a simple electronic COVID-19 health screening survey. You can find the link here.
- TEMPERATURE CHECKS: Upon entering the clinic one of our staff will take your temperature. Anyone with an elevated temperature will be asked to go home and their appointment will be rescheduled.
- FACEMASKS: We ask that you bring your own facemask to any appointment at an ORM Fertility clinic
- SOCIAL DISTANCING: We will be managing scheduling and patient flow to allow for social distancing. Appointment times have been adjusted to minimize the number of people in the clinic at any given time. While we know this is difficult, we ask that no guests accompany you to your appointment. We appreciate your patience and flexibility in order to accommodate for this!
Do I need to wear a mask to my appointment?
Yes. Everyone coming to ORM, including staff, will need to wear their own mask to their visit. Anyone without a mask will need to obtain one before entering the building or reschedule their appointment.
Can I bring my partner to my appointment?
For all appointments at this time, we respectfully ask that only individuals who are directly receiving treatment enter the building. This means that partners who do not have their own scheduled appointments will not be allowed to attend visits, and are asked to remain in the car or at home. We understand that not having this support can be difficult and we appreciate you helping us keep everyone safe. During ultrasound appointments, etc. Facetime and video chatting is allowed.
No support person will be allowed except:
Under Oregon law, patients may have a visitor if they need help from a support person because of a language barrier or disability; if they need help with activities of daily living or; or to ensure the safety of the patient or health care workers. Every effort must be made to arrange in advance.
All patients are required to have a responsible adult take them home following oocyte (egg) retrieval or embryo transfer. Because of limited space to allow for physical distancing, we ask that the person do one of the following:
- Wait in their car in a place with good cell service
- Wait at a location with 15 minutes of ORM Fertility with good cell service
Are all of your locations open?
Currently, we are seeing patients at our downtown Portland, OR (which we affectionately refer to as 808) and Bellevue, WA locations. We plan to open our Westside Portland and Southside Portland locations in the near future. All of our physicians are available and seeing patients.
What appointments are being offered virtually?
We will continue to utilize video and teleconferencing for any appointments that do not require an ultrasound, bloodwork or a surgical procedure.
Can I travel for fertility care?
Fertility treatment is considered an essential medical service. We encourage all patients to minimize all non-essential travel (not related to medical care) and to follow their local, state and national guidelines regarding travel and recommendations for isolation following travel.
Effective immediately, all patients prior to air travel to ORM will require a negative COVID test (rapid test preferred) and completion of the ORM COVID Questionnaire within 5 days of travel.
If travel is required here are some things to consider before you go:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your hands, eyes and mouth
- Avoid close contact with others
- Wear a cloth face covering when you are in public
- For more information you can review the Center For Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for travel.
What should I do if I develop symptoms of COVID-19, am diagnosed with COIVD-19 or am exposed to someone who gets diagnosed with COVID-19?
Although we hope this does not happen, if you are exposed to COVID-19, develop symptoms of or are diagnosed with COVID-19, we will likely recommend postponing further treatment until you are healthy. Your provider will help guide you.
Is it safe for me to pursue fertility treatment or pregnancy at this time?
Currently, little is known about the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 on human reproduction and pregnancy. Pregnant women do not appear to be a greater risk of contracting and developing COVID-19 than the general population. There is no current information that infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus increases the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. Several reports have reported healthy babies in mothers with COVID-19 at or near the time of delivery. Preterm (early) delivery has been reported.
It is important that you stay connected with your healthcare provider(s) throughout your fertility treatment and pregnancy. They will be able to update you regarding new information as it becomes available. You may also access information regarding COVID-19 and pregnancy through the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Can COVID-19 cause infertility in men or women?
We have no reason to believe that the COVID-19 coronavirus will lead to future fertility problems for either men or women.
Join A Free Webinar
In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we have transitioned all of our live in-person seminars, to webinars. Please tune in to learn more about growing your family through fertility treatment from the comfort of your own home.
Quarantine Care
Drawings
Download one of our coloring books to help pass the time
Norm The Fertility Frenchie
Growing Healthy Generations
Resources & Reading
Face Covering Facts (PDF) by Oregon Health Authority
How to Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 (PDF) by Oregon Health Authority
Stress Reducing Strategies for Patients (PDF) by Ali Domar, Ph.D. Director of Integrative Care, Boston IVF and Elizabeth Grill, Psy.D. Associate Professor of Psychology, Weill Medical College of Cornell that provide helpful coping mechanisms for staff and for patients.
COVID-19 Coping (PDF) by ASRM Mental Health Professionals Group
Pregnant and Worried About the New Coronavirus? by Harvard Medical School
ORM Blog
Check out some of these blog posts that may be helpful in preparing for or during your journey.
Meditation Resources For Covid-19
Meditation Resources During this arduous time of COVID-19 and all of its repercussions, it’s important to take care of your mind and body in the…
10 Ways to Optimize Your Lifestyle for Fertility
By Dr. Carl Sgarlata, ORM’s Integrative Medicine specialist. Infertility does not discriminate- one in eight couples in the U.S. are affected by this disease regardless of…
10 Tips to Improve Your Diet to Optimize Your Fertility
By Dr. Carl Sgarlata, ORM’s Integrative Medicine specialist. Anyone can be challenged in having a family. Infertility does not discriminate- millions of Americans are affected…
Can Vitamin D Influence Fertility?
By Dr. Carmelo Sgarlata, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with extensive experience in the field of in vitro fertilization and integrative medicine and head of ORM’s…
Professional-Led Infertility Support Group
ORM’s Director of Psychological Services, Britta Dinnsmore, Ph.D., offers free monthly infertility support groups that are open to the community.