Any teachers? Infertility while teaching....?

[physicskate]

Hi. I am about to start infertility investigations. I have my first appt next week after ttc for 16 months. I have put down 'hospital appointment' as my reason for not being in school. Long term, I really don't know how to deal with future appointments if they fall during term time. Do I disclose to my HT and request appointment time to be unpaid??

What did you do? How did you deal with teaching while dealing with/ tests and treatments for sub/ infertility??

TIA. Already stressed about not being pregnant and feeling like an utter failure, and to top it all off don't want to feel like a selfish twat for missing lessons to try to have a baby.

I told my ht. She was v good and discreet. All my appointment times were paid leave - it was in my schools leave policy.

I haven't yet - been trying for about 6 months so will wait a little longer before going to the GP. But my advice is to not let them make you feel like a selfish twat for doing it. We teachers give WAYYYY too much time of our lives to our work and it's worth it but this is your life and it has priority. Good luck xx

Firstly sending you lots of wishes. I also embarked on infertility pathway and after a lap and dye I never had another period and now have a baby asleep upstairs. Nothing was found on lap and dye either. So it can all happen when least expected!

Do you have any policies. I work in NHS and it's laid out clearly in our policy what leave is entitled for fertility treatment. I initially put hospital appointment down with gyne until I felt able to tell my manager.

It might be worth telling either the head or HR if you are comfortable, some schools will require evidence so you may have to bring in appointment letters but there's no reason why you should take it unpaid. Good luck z

Birchy do you mind me asking if you're in England? I've tried to find policy for NHS however there isn't one where I work, contacted HR and seems to be just at mgrs discretion re the hospital appointment policy and 'special leave' for planned full day investigations. Would be keen to be signposted if there's something I'm missing as I'm planning to take A/L for some to avoid the dreaded absence management meeting!

Told my HT and she was great. Paid time off for appointments and no hassle. I tried to book them so I was only missing a bit of a day so coming in late/leaving a bit early.
Ultimately it's the same as any other job even though we like to feel we are indispensable!

I am also a teacher and told my head who was supportive. Essentially we give our lives over to the job and they make you feel terrible for even Considering an appointment during school hours but in any other profession you'd just book time off. I work 60+ hours a week so have given up feeling guilty if I miss half an hour of Y8 so I can get my infertility addressed! Put yourself first and ask your head for confidentiality.