Looking for a new job whilst TTC

[Denise1987]

I've been TTC for 3 years now, had my 1st round of IVF end of last year which was unsuccessful. I've been holding out on my job for the last couple of years because I kept telling myself "you'll be pregnant soon, not long now" (lol, if only I know then what I know now). Just sick of putting my life on hold and being miserable in a job I've outgrown.

I'm willing to wait until late summer/ early autumn to get started on our next IVF round (need time to save anyway). Anyone changed jobs then start an IVF round a few months afterwards? Or got pregnant shortly after starting? How was it?

Hi denise. I don't have many words of wisdom to share but I am in a similar position to you. Decided a few years ago not to leave my job even though I wasn't loving it, thinking I would get pregnant and that would give me a natural break from work. Now over 2 years later and I hate my job and thinking how I might have done things differently had I known. A few weeks back and interesting opportunity came up and I decided to go for it. The interview is likely to fall during my first ivf cycle so will have to see how that goes. I'm hoping I know the outcome of my ivf before I have to decide whether to take the job.

Hiya.

I was in a fixed term contract when I was referred for IVF. It ended, then I did 3 weeks in a new job, then did IVF and got pregnant with my son. I basically worked the new job for 8 months and then quit to be a full time mum. I felt bad taking the new job knowing I was possibly going to get pregnant and leave but one has to survive. Luckily I grew to find the job quite dull so it all worked out for the best. Because my job started before the pregnancy start date I got statutory maternity pay. I do thank my lucky stars! Luck's run out now I've been trying to conceive number 2 I'm afraid :-/

I say you do what you can to survive but without knowing if IVF will work you can only go with your heart. Good luck x

I did. I stayed in a job I was miserable in for much the same reasons as you. In the end the job became unbearable and I left anyway. I started a cycle of IVF 4 months into the new job. It wasn’t successful, but work were fine about both that one and the subsequent cycles we had.

My only regret (besides the fact that the IVF failed) is that I unhappily waited in the original job for too long for something which didn’t happen and I should have left much much sooner than I did. Enough of your life has to be put on hold for IVF and infertility is bad enough in itself without having to put everything else in life on hold and just exist between cycles of IVF so I definitely think you should change jobs if you’re not happy in the one you’re in.

It’s so easy to put your life on hold while TTC for years. I wouldn’t plan more than a couple of months ahead just in case. It was liberating when I was told at a support group to just go for it, plan travel, events etc. Because if you have to cancel because you are pregnant or have a baby, you won’t care about cancelling. Same applies to changing jobs. Staying in unhappy job will be a constant reminder. If you get pregnant in a new job, are you really going to be upset about it?

@EarlGreyT l agree with all of this

We did some IVF which failed towards the end of this year. I hadn’t been thrilled with my job for a while and quit it afterwards. I’m sick of my life being on hold and “doing what l should do” rather than what l want to. Currently looking for a better job

such good advice here. i am in the same situation as OP and @duckling3 were. Need to move on.

Hi @Denise1987. I'm so glad you started this thread.

I hate my job and am only staying because of IVF. I'm so unhappy there it's unreal. 2 years of trying with various outcomes (none the one I want!!). I'm thinking of leaving too: currently looking, but I'm scared to take the plunge, when I don't know when cycle 5 will start...
Everything has come to a standstill during IVF. You feel like you can't plan; because you never know where you'll be in terms of treatment. Everything is on hold, but I still have to keep moving and living: it's hard, but we have to!

Wow I am completely in the same boat! I have just had a miscarriage following 2nd ivf attempt. I have arranged with the clinic that as soon as I get my period I want to go again. BUT I too hate my job an for the past 4, nearly 5 years I’ve held out for the mat leave...since then I have found this second miscarriage harder to deal with as I’m back in work week after next an feel back to square one in a job I hate. I luckily have a precious 4 year old boy and amazing partner who keep me going.

However this morning 2 things have happened...I randomly booked a big holiday for July cos thought fook it by that time the ivf will be done an if it’s bad news I’ll have something to look forward to an if it’s good news I’ll go pregnant....THEN I had a random phone call from a job I applied for not really thinking about and the discussion went really well and I have an interview next week.

Now I’m worrying cos if I get it, what do I do about the treatment...do I tell them? Put it on hold? Casually ask do they pay MAT pay? Heads fell off basically ha any advice welcome xx

P.s I’m completely stuck in my comfort zone/rut at the minute an the thought of change panics me (I suffer with anxiety anyway) but I feel like I need to throw myself into something new otherwise when will I? X

Hi ladies

I know this thread is old news now! But wanted to see how you're getting on in the employment front!

Did any of you accept/start a new job during IVF?

I had an interview today and I'm due to start my 5th F*ing round of IVF next month. I don't know what I'm doing...