Travel IVF

Traveling to the U.S. for Fertility Treatment, In Vitro Fertilization at HRC

Are you considering going “across the pond” and traveling to start fertility treatment with one of our specialists? Want to plan your fertility treatment or IVF journey around summer break or a certain time of the year?

Coming to Southern California for fertility treatment is just like and as easy as planning a vacation! With careful planning and coordination with your specialist, it’s often possible to travel during fertility treatment.

Travel is a great way to relieve the stress that comes with infertility, but if you’re thinking about planning an escape, be sure to contact us before you make your reservations. As you might expect, we discourage you from traveling to areas that expose you to the Zika virus or Covid-19. That said, we’ll be happy to do whatever we can to coordinate your treatment plan around your much-needed getaway.

Certain types of fertility treatment are more complicated to plan around than others. During an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, for example, there are periods of time in which you must receive daily in-office monitoring, and your egg retrieval must be perfectly timed. For less-intensive treatments, you may be able to fit a quick trip into your schedule much more easily.

Before hopping on a plane, just like with all travel, there are several things that you need to consider. Here are some tips that will help you travel as stress-free as possible so you can enjoy your time away and not worry about compromising your baby-making plans:

Coordinate with your HRC Fertility team

Let your fertility care team know about your plans. Your doctor or nurse will inform you about the best times to travel during your cycle, any special arrangements you may need to make, such as offsite monitoring, and how to navigate travel, especially if you are flying.

We also can provide you with duplicate prescriptions in case you need additional dosages or lose medications. You may need your insurance company to authorize this.

Prepare for your trip

Whether you are driving or flying, you will want to keep your prescription drugs safe during your journey. Your pre-trip planning should include buying a cooler and ice packs for medications requiring refrigeration. Also bring extra supplies like gauze, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer, and an appropriate plastic or Sharp’s container for needle disposal. No one wants to take an unexpected trip to the pharmacy while they could be enjoying the sights of their vacation destination.

Flying with fertility medications

If you are flying with injectable fertility medications, you must comply with the Travel Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for travelers with special medical needs. We can provide a note specifying the medicines and supplies the doctor has prescribed. You might also want to contact the airlines to see if they have advice or special requirements.

Ice packs must be frozen, and you should present all medications and accessories in clear plastic bags for screening.

If you travel during fertility treatment, chances are you’ll need to bring your medications along with you. That requires some advance planning.

  • Before your departure, ask us for a physician letter to document that you are traveling with medications.
  • If you’re traveling internationally, be sure to ask your fertility specialist if any required vaccinations are safe during treatment.
  • Check your airline’s guidelines for traveling with medications and/or syringes and needles.
  • Before airport screenings or customs, state that you are carrying medications.
  • Never check medications with your luggage.
  • Make a kit for your carry-on bag that includes everything you need, from alcohol wipes to syringes and a sharps container. Bring extra supplies, just in case.
  • If your medication requires refrigeration, bring along a frozen gel pack and insulated bag. Be sure that your hotel room has a mini fridge, or buy a cooler and some ice once you arrive at your destination.
  • Always know where to go nearby if you have a medical emergency.

Be aware of health alerts

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publishes travel health alerts for different areas of the world that you can check before international travel.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CDC INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL UPDATES AND GUIDELINES

The Zika and Covid-19 viruses are still threats in many countries, including Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central American countries, and the CDC still does not recommend non-essential travel to those locations.

We hope you have a wonderful vacation and of course, a successful fertility journey. Whether you are going away for a weekend or a couple of weeks, it is always nice to take a mental and physical break from your routine. But rest easy knowing you can stick to your medication and monitoring routines during your vacation getaway if need be.

To learn more about travel during fertility treatment, talk to your HRC fertility specialist. Visit HavingBabies.com or call 866-HRC-4IVF to schedule a consultation.