delaying fet due to frontline work. looking for advicd

[rowwan]

After lots of ups and downs, we finally managed to go through fertility treatment last year but embryo transfer got delayed as all the IVF clinics stopped work. Was also heavily involved in frontline health care work during first wave. Now just as we got ready to move forward with a transfer second wave is coming back. Unfortunately, as a junior doctor we move around hospitals a lot and I am not sure who I should speak to at work about this and its such a private issue that i dont feel like speaking about it to colleagues. At the same tine, I dont feel like we can keep waiting forever especially as age really matters in these cases. Am sick with worry about catching covid just we get ready to do the embryo transfer and this is complicated by anxiety from previous miscarriages. Anyone else experienced having to delay FET due to work?

I already posted about this in hcp area but so far no replies so reposting here.

Hi, maybe speak with your training programme director or educational supervisor, depending on what sort of training programme you're in? Occ Health might have some advice/support although they can be a bit hit or miss.

You might be able to get time away from the frontline through redeployment so you can reduce your risk; again, supervisors and Occ Health are the people to speak with about this.

I conceived during work on the frontline and then miscarried in the 2nd trimester - I'll never know if the work contributed to this, but if I were to conceive again, I'd go for a period of redeployment. We've sacrificed enough already - prioritise yourself and your embryo.

Your line manager should be doing a risk assessment with you - could you bring it up at this and see what they say? Or perhaps self refer to Occ Health if you want to discuss it confidentially? That said, I am working frontline in the NHS at present and am part way through my first IVF cycle - I wasn't planning to stop working but am slightly worried about the risk of transmission. Do you have adequate PPE? Being really rigorous with your own infection control processes and staying away from communal areas should help a lot to reduce your risk? I don't think there is any evidence of a Covid causing issues with pregnancy so the main thing you risk is your cycle being cancelled. It is definitely additional stress which is not needed but equally, we are where we are so I guess it's doing the best you can within the confines of the current situation? Hope you find a process/person within work that can help.

I agree, I think front line workers have sacrificed enough, and you need to look after yourself too. I would speak to my clinic, they might be able to sign you off 'discreetly'. That way, you get some time out for your treatment, without having to disclose anything too personal with your employer if you don't want to. Good luck.

Senior doctor here. Lots of us are doing fertility treatment too so there's often more support than you know. If you have a mentor from an earlier placement why not ask them about it and tactics. I would encourage you to try to go forward with your treatment. This particular crisis is likely to drag on for another year, and then there will be the crises of all the deferred medical treatment for every other medical problem pouring into hospitals. Waiting it out is a bad idea with fertility on the line.

My own boss was very supportive, even of last minute changes to my roster with the unpredictability.

Certain fields are more or less supportive of personal lives though (surgeons, paediatrics in my area being less) - so gauge your field. If it's unsupportive, approach your clinic about signing off for medical leave at certain times and tell your boss you have a medical issue you are dealing with. They don't have a right to your personal information.

Also ask your clinic what the minimum warning time for a FET cancellation is if you develop symptoms and need testing... What if you have a cough but a negative test etc. Just so you know the exact protocols in advance. Mask up. Wash hands well.

You spend a lot of time caring for others that you will never see again - look after yourself and your family.

All my best.

I also work in healthcare and was nervous about telling work but they were so supportive and let me work from home for 2 weeks before my transfer! Lots of doctors are having to isolate for various health reasons at the moment, I've even had a friend who's an A and E reg who's been able to work from home and I would hope they could make some provisions for you? Best of luck x

Thank you for responses. Just need a boost to actually commit the process almost. Am slightly anxious about the whole process.

I have to see covid patients. do have access to PPE but that includes level 1 ppe so I do worry but so far have managed to avoid getting it.
@Roo45 @indub you make a good point about possible cancellation due to covid contact. They have asked me a question about whether you have been in contact with people with covid but I will have to check with them as to whether if one is wearing PPE would that still be considered to be a covid contact?
At the moment it is hard asking for time out as they are already talking about putting us on surge rota but then again I haven't brought up my particular circumstances yet so maybe I am probably just unnecesarily overthinking it. I have just tried to speak with occy health today but not that conclusive really... will have to bite the bullet and speak to my educational supervisor which I just dont feel like doing.

I completely understand. My husband and I are both NHS too, and when our clinic did covid screening questions prior to appointments, we had to say yes to contact with covid patients, but with PPE which they were fine with. They gave me a covid swab before egg collection and signed me off for three weeks from that point, simply stating gynae problems. Wishing you all the best @rowwan

@rowwan it's a hard one, I don't know what your rotation is but I do know a few docs who had to isolate in late pregnancy or high risk health conditions and we able to do telephone reviews rewrite guidelines audits etc.
I agree with others it's worth checking what your clinics policy is regarding covid and self isolation and what they count as covid contacts. My clinic gave me a letter saying I needed to self isolate.
Another option if you didn't want to mention the IVF is saying as others have said simply that you have medical procedure and need to self isolate.
Also it's natural to feel guilty to take time off for this but I can't see this settling in the next few months and possibly longer x