I Had to Go in a Bubble: Investigating the Effects of COVID-19 on Fertility Treatments and Nutrition

BACKGROUND: Individuals modify their lifestyles including nutrition to improve fertility. The COVID-19 pandemic limited access to clinical offices or resulted in the closure of fertility clinics. The pandemic also impacted diet through reduced availability and lifestyle choices. This article's purpose was to understand the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on diet, lifestyle, and the course of fertility treatment. METHODS: The research was conducted through qualitative data collected for a larger study regarding fertility and nutritional guidance. Thematic analysis from eight interviews was used to uncover major and subthemes among the transcripts. RESULTS: The results showed two resulting main themes: disruption and distress on the fertility journey of these individuals, as well as the added stress of limited food access, which reduced their ability to continue their dietary choices. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate substantial disruptions to food access and to individuals' fertility treatment during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations from these findings suggest that consistent clinic policies can allow for increased support system integration. A further recommendation is the need for a multidisciplinary team to support the individuals going through fertility treatments, such as a registered dietitian to help meal plan around their diet protocol. A registered dietitian would be able to assist patients in making adjustments when faced with limited access to certain food resources as a result of the pandemic.