IVF - continue at work?

[studentvera]

Hi ladies,

Is it possible to work and do IVF at same time. I work by the hospital?
X

It is. I have had 3 cycles and worked throughout. My last cycle my employer wasn't supportive so I was signed off by my GP with hospital treatment and stress in the illness box.

My first cycle I worked for a well known bank an they were fantastic.

I would speak to HR an line manager stating what is required and how you can fit it in to a working day.

My philosophy on the whole situation was to be as flexible as I could (in the build up I worked overtime to build a bank of leui days) but essentially right or wrong I knew IVF would come first and I'd deal with any issues at work after.

Definitely, especially if you work near the hospital. Scans are generally early morning so you might need to have a little flexibility to go in late on those days. I worked through two cycles (the second was a frozen embryo transfer) and took 2 or 3 days leave each time - for egg retrieval (first cycle only, obviously), embryo transfer and also the pregnancy test as I knew I would not be much use mentally that day. I actually found work a good distraction from the mentalling, especially during the 2ww. I did find it helped to plan a little time off for after the cycle is over - whatever the outcome - to recharge, as it is obviously tough on you both emotionally.

Yes. I've worked through three cycles. I had all my scans and blood tests in the morning and just went in a little late. I took the day of egg collection as sick leave. I took transfer as a medical appointment and worked before/after. I have admittedly been distracted on some days, but I think having work to think about has been helpful.

Definitely currently on my 3rd round and my company have been great really flexible with oing for scans etc and about me having time of to rest - I found it best to be upfront with my boss and he has been really supportive

I've had a really supportive boss who has just said to take whatever time I need to ensure I'm not stressed and they will just go with the flow. Approaching EC next week so planning to have the day of EC and the following day and possibly the same for ET although I think that may fall on the weekend anyway. It is possible to work through but depending on how your employer would react it might be worth speaking to them to see how flexible they can be.

I explained to my boss and HR, and they were great!
Am hoping to cause as little disruption as possible in return. Am more worried about what the hormones will do to me at work!!

Egg that was my worry but it hasn't been too bad thus far. Because I work next to my bosses off and opposite a director who both know I've been able to hide in their rooms and have a rant or off load I do work at a very nice place though.

Boss's office that should have been!

Hi studentvera, it is great to hear all these examples from people who've worked through IVF - I am impressed!

My office is about 2.5 hours from the hospital and I am in a management role so spend most of my time in meetings, which makes it harder to work round. When I did IVF I also was on a temporary contract and trying to get a permanent job so I didn't tell anyone at work. I took two weeks' leave towards the end of treatment, and because it ended up taking longer than I was told, I also had to take a day's sick leave at the end of my annual leave, for the embryo transfer, which was a bit difficult to explain.

I was really glad to have the time off as it was a particularly stressful time at work, and I was finding it difficult not being able to tell anyone. That said, I ended up having two interviews for another job while I was on leave, which first of all provided a good distraction, but the second interview was between collection and transfer and I was feeling pretty rough. I didn't get the job and found out the day before transfer and was upset about it, so not great timing. The IVF didn't work either, so all in all, not a great result (!), except I did end up getting a permanent job at the place I was already working, which means next time I could hopefully tell my boss.

This is all a long-winded way of saying that if you can work through IVF I think it's great - it can provide a good distraction, make the whole thing seem less of a big deal, and not use up valuable annual leave, meaning you can go on holiday later! But if you think it would be more stressful to be at work, don't feel like you should. IVF is a tough thing to go through so just do whatever you think is going to make it easier for you.