Fertility treatment - how do you get around work?!

[Hellskitchen24]

To anyone who’s done IVF or IUI; how do you make this work? It requires so many appointments for scans (every other day pretty much), blood tests etc.

I work clinically 13 hour shifts so can’t just up and leave. My clinic isn’t far from my work but it’s still going to take up a solid 2 hours between travel there and back and the appointment. The clinic is 9-5 so no chance of before or after work. I also can’t plan around days off, as fertility treatments don’t work like that.

I don’t have the best relationship with my manager. I can’t take last minute leave; we aren’t allowed. How do I approach this and what has everyone else done?

You mention 12 hour clinical shifts - if you are working within the NHS you are entitled to special leave - it may be worth looking into your employers special leave policy

This is cut and pasted from NHS policy from one trust
Special Leave for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and other fertility treatment The Trust recognises the emotional pressure of undergoing IVF treatment and understands the potential anxiety and distress that staff may suffer during the process. The Trust wishes to support staff who decide to undertake fertility treatment, or those whose partner is undergoing the treatment, as much as possible by providing special unpaid or paid leave for this purpose.

6.1 Eligibility To be eligible for paid leave for IVF/fertility treatment, employees must have 12 months continuous service within the NHS on the date that their IVF/fertility treatment is due to commence.
6.2 Leave Available
6.2.1 Members of Staff receiving or recovering from IVF treatment Members of staff may be granted up to a total of five days paid leave per IVF treatment cycle (pro-rata for part-time staff) for the purpose of receiving and recovering from IVF treatment. The days can be taken to suit the member of staff’s needs, for example in one block, separate days or ½ days. If more than 5 days leave is required, then annual or unpaid leave may be used in addition, with the agreement of the manager.
6.2.2 Members of staff whose partner is receiving IVF treatment A member of staff whose partner is receiving IVF treatment may be granted up to five days’ paid leave per 12 month period (pro rata for part-time staff) to support their partner through the treatment. The days can be taken to suit the member of staff’s needs, for example in one block, separate days or ½ days. If more than 5 days leave is required, then annual or unpaid leave may be used in addition, with the agreement of the manager. IVF leave may be taken within the IVF treatment cycle only. It may not be carried over to a further IVF treatment cycle, or 12 month period, as applicable.
6.3 Requesting Leave Staff may apply for leave for IVF treatment by way of a formal written request to their manager, who should ensure the utmost confidentiality of this matter. Requests for leave must be supported by documentary evidence from a relevant GP or specialist. Once an IVF treatment cycle has ended, the member of staff receiving treatment may apply again to their manager for leave for IVF by way of a formal written request to their manager. Requests for leave again must be supported by documentary evidence from a relevant GP or specialist. For staff whose partner is receiving IVF treatment, after the 12 month period within which they have taken IVF leave has elapsed, the member of staff may apply again to their manager for further leave for IVF by way of a formal written request to their manager. Requests for leave again must be supported by documentary evidence from a relevant GP or specialist. When requesting a period of leave for IVF treatment, as much notice as possible should be given. Insufficient notice is likely to result in the request being refused. Members of staff undergoing IVF treatment may require some degree of flexibility in their day-to-day pattern of work over and above the granting of leave. Reasonable adjustments may be made using the range of flexible working options available within the Trust’s Work-Life Balance Policy. Further time-off from duty due to the side effects of treatment should be in accordance with the Trust Sickness Policy. Sickness absence associated with IVF will not be classified as 'pregnancy related'.
6.4 When on Special Leave for IVF staff must not undertake paid or unpaid work either in the Trust or outside of the Trust, during their normal contracted hours.

Once you start the cycle you'll have a better idea on what will happen when. I took two weeks leave from when the regular scans started till the embryo transfer. I was on mild IVF btw. Also I deliberately started the treatment in Nov when things started to slow down into Xmas time for my work. So you can try to time it if there's seasonality in your work too. Best of luck to you!

My Trust allows people time off for these appointments. Your union rep should be able to advise/support you.

Where in your fertility journey are you? Have they told you you will need a scan every other day? Is this long cycle ivf or short cycle ivf or something different? I too have a very inflexible job but I had three scans in total. One at the start, and two after all the hormones. Only needed to the second one as my follicles were juuuust not big enough on the first post-hormones scan so went back the next day. I had four days off work which I was entitled to. One for the second scan, two for the egg-retrieval and one for the transfer.