IVF work balance worries

[MrsJemimaPuddleDuck]

Hello!

My first post on here and a little worried!
I'm not great with the acronyms so do excuse me!
My husband and I are about to start IVF, (NHS). My main worry is work. How on earth do I explain? I have a very fast paced job that is highly dependent on me never having a moment away. I have only called in sick once in almost three years! Super worried but too excited about my real dream of having a family to ignore the chance.
Any advice on how to talk to work/guidance of how much time I'll need for appointments/general IVF worries would be so so welcome.

Thanks :)

Hi OP, sorry, I don't have any advice but didn't want to read and run. Would this question be better in the infertility board?

That said, I also have a job like that, I'd advise just telling them.

I have a very fast paced job that is highly dependent on me never having a moment away.

Unless you work for yourself, you are doing the work of two people if you really can't take a moment off.

Start as you mean to go on. If your IVF is successful, you will no longer be held hostage by your job.

Privately search to see if the company has a policy regarding fertility treatment. Most don't and will not treat fertility treatment like other health issues, but as a life choice.
Given that if you have not already said anything I'd try to state that you have gynaecological issues as practically that may get you the ability for more flexibility.
You may well need every other day scans, so try to get at either end of the day or start to take lunch breaks.
If you're currently giving 110% to work, you may want to reduce this down to say just your hours....
Good luck.

I flagged up to my boss that I was having treatment. She put it down as gynaecological so our big boss didn't ask questions.

I also have a challenging fast paced job which means working from either ends of the country

I chose a clinic near home which started scans at 730 so I could do them on the way to work and had other branches in other cities in case I had to have scans there (I have ended up doing scans and even an egg collection in London)

My boss is aware of what I'm doing however and is very supportive and on days where I had to inject at lunchtimes (cetrotide so you have to mix it go together in a little bottle rather than just a straight injection) he either allowed working from home or he found a quiet clean place for me to do them

Wow!
Thank you all so much for your replies. It feels so nice to know I’m not the only one! Have felt super anxious about it!
Such great advice too. We have the initial co-ordination in a few weeks. I’ve never been more excited or nervous about something!
I’m hoping that after that, I will have some idea of timings, dates etc. And can go and be honest with work. I don’t want to let them down but I’ve become too desperate for our family to have a little one.
Our poor dog has had years of us playing peek-a-boo with her! She deserves a break!!

Thank you all again.
Xxxxx