Travel tips for fertility patients
Are you looking forward to some rest and relaxation this summer? If your plans include a vacation, you don’t have to put them on hold because you’re in the middle of fertility treatments. You can travel and enjoy your summer with a little planning. Here are some helpful travel tips for fertility patients at our Southern California fertility center.
How to handle medical appointments and medication
If you’re in the middle of an IVF cycle, going away could be tricky. We need to see you in the office regularly to monitor your hormone levels and follicles. This ensures that we can retrieve your eggs at precisely the right time. But don’t worry. If you have a family emergency or other travel that you can’t postpone, speak to one of your fertility team members and follow these tips.
- Get the name of a reputable fertility specialist near your destination so that you can have routine monitoring or get a prescription. Also note a nearby pharmacy and hospital.
- Make sure you have a point of contact at our Southern California fertility center who knows your travel plans.
- Create a list of your current medications and set alerts on your phone so that you won’t forget to take your medications at the right time.
- If you must fly, keep all medications in your carry-on luggage, so they don’t get lost. Know which ones need to be refrigerated or kept at room temperature. Research your airline’s medication policy and get a note from us if necessary.
- Pack all medical supplies you may need such as gauze, ice packs, a cooler, alcohol wipes and a sharps container to properly dispose of your needles.
If you’re having other treatments or testing, planning your getaway will be much easier. Just remember to check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for CDC travel advisories relating to the Zika virus.
Zika travel tips for fertility patients
By now, you probably know about the risk of the Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes and sexual contact with an infected partner. Zika can cause babies to be born with microcephaly. This means they have smaller than normal heads and can suffer from intellectual disabilities.
Here are some tips for avoiding the Zika virus.
- Follow the CDC’s guidelines for the Zika virus
- Know which countries have the highest risk of Zika and avoid them if possible
- Keep your skin covered with long shirts and pants
- Use an insect repellent made for mosquitoes
- Stay in air-conditioned rooms and make sure doors and windows have screens
- Use condoms to avoid spreading the Zika virus to your partner
Follow these travel tips for fertility patients to make the most of your upcoming trip. Be sure to contact our Southern California fertility center with questions or to let us know about your plans.