Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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IVF and blood test on Shabbat

4 April, 2005

Question:

I am about to start IVF procedures. There is a schedule of injections, blood tests and sonograms. Depending upon when I get my period, it is possible that I might have to have a blood test on shabbos. I won’t know until probably the day of or before. Can I do this? If I can’t, the entire previous 3 weeks of medications and tests will be a waste and I will not be able to proceed with the retrieval. This will likely happen any time I try to do IVF. Thank you.


Answer:

It would be preferable, if at all possible, to check with your doctor about scheduling the blood test for immediately before or immediately after Shabbat.

Should a situation arise in which there is no alternative, please consult a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor to clarify how best to proceed. (This is a free service, details here.).

Behatzlacha with your treatment!

This response was updated on 13 April, 2021.


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