IVF and new job

[strawberrysummer19]

So I'm only 3 months into a new job but it's only a 6 month temp role anyway - unknown at this stage if it will become perm

Been bouncing around temp jobs since last year due to Covid

So I've been keeping an eye out and applying for jobs anyway as I'm only in a temp position

I have an interview tomorrow for something that sounds really amazing
It's same hours but more pay then what I'm currently doing

But....

I don't know if I'm successful if I should take it? I'm having IVF next month and should it be successful I would be able to compete my assignments but if took the new job
( it's only 12 month contract this one ) then I would have to potentially leave it before the end date

Potentially if I get offered it could I be honest and say I'm doing ivf next month and don't wanna start being dishonest from the beginning? I know I don't legally have to disclose but in a month or so when I may need time off for appointments I just don't know how I feel keeping it from them?

What do you think?

It's only a part time position so hoping to do most my scans around time off as my clinic scan in afternoons

I mean I may not even get it yet but just preparing myself incase x

To be honest with it being part time and so IVF will be much less disruptive and also 12 months I'd be inclined to take it

I hope it works first time for you but it took us multiple rounds to have success - I stuck it out with my employer because my (male) boss was very supportive

@ivfbeenbusy yeah that's what I'm thinking...I've checked that my clinic can do afternoon appointments and I only work until 2 over 4 days so with my day off in the week I'm hoping I need very little time off

See this is the thing, we've budgeted for 4 cycles so if it doesn't work 1st cycle or even at all I lost don't want to stay in a job I don't really like and don't want to miss out on a really good job!

Obviously you preference is to get pregnant and jobs secondary! But just trying to realistic

Might not even say anything because they may be put off when I may not even go anywhere ?!
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@ivfbeenbusy what cycle did it take you if you don't mind me asking?
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I did short protocol IVF so I could cycle quicker (whole thing over in 2 weeks or less) as we'd said we wouldn't do it for years and years - 1 year and then we would move on. (I'd had lots of losses including losing both tubes which had really taken it out of us)

I did 5 cycles in 18 months (would have been less but covid delayed things by 3 months). First 2 cycles I had 3 transfers all failed. Last 3 cycles were natural modified IVF (so could cycle back to back with no breaks) and I did embryo banking and I had twins x

I would absolutely take the job and don’t tell the until you need to. Not only because it may not work on your first cycle, but also because you need to just make the best decision for you and that is having a job you like for a longer period. Manage the rest of it as and when you need to. Best of luck 🤞

@strawberrysummer19 I agree with the other posters, go for the job, I am 2 unsuccessful cycles in and an issue has just been found that means I’m facing even more investigations and uncertainty.

If your situation changes moving forward then things will have to be discussed around that, but I cannot emphasize enough... do not put your life on hold for fertility treatment. I so hope it works for you, but if it doesn’t work in the next few months, you will feel rubbish knowing you turned down a job that you really wanted.

Also when you say you have budgeted for 4 cycles, is that paying the clinic directly? have you looked into the option of a finance package. I went with access fertility.

@Gardenlady543 thank you, that's really reassuring and it's made me really think. I thought I was mad for even going for it but I'm glad I came on here
That's exactly it, life is on hold enough without adding to it.
Let's hope I get it !!
Yes we are with access. So we have paid for a 2 cycle unlimited fet with the thoughts that we would then pay for another 2 if they didn't work

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@strawberrysummer19 Oh that’s very sensible! I’m with the 2 cycle unlimited FET package as well, it’s a non refund package that I’m with. The 1st fresh cycle went well and I got 9 blasts, but the transfer wasn’t successful and I had an unsuccessful FET transfer. I’ve decided to pay for investigations: PGT-A, thrombophilia screen and autoantibodies and an ERA/EMMA/ALICE, there was an issue with this procedure and now I’ve got an appointment booked with a specialist in Ashermans syndrome.

So having that extra cash will be very helpful, if you get lots of blasts then you really get your money’s worth with the access package.

Hopefully you’ll get lucky and it will work first time, but a lot of us have a complicated journey, it is so important to live as normally as possible alongside it.

Totally agree you should take the job if you're offered it. My IVF worked first time but there were still delays that I hadn't foreseen and my transfer happened months after I had thought it would. Even if the IVF goes as well as you could wish, you've got to make the best decision for your circumstances as they are now. You can sort any changes out later and everyone will cope.

Good luck with both!

@Gardenlady543 sending you lots of luck and good wishes in your journey.
Yes it's good value if you get lots of blasts
My AMH isn't very high ( 5.6) and I had 9 follicles at my last count which they were quite positive about but we shall see.

Well I find it this morning! So fingers crossed but if not this one it has made me realise that it would be the right decision leaving so thanks to everyone for your advice x

@Yokey thanks for sharing. Yes exactly, we were ready at xmas and have been delayed already circumstances beyond our control so you're right you need to live for the now sometimes with IVF.

Unless I was in a stable job I liked then I would I stay. It feels slightly unsettling but I would hate to stay and then be on a ivf journey that went on and on as it very well could be the case and not taken a job I really wanted x

I didn't get the job !!!! After all that
Ahhh never mind xx

Sorry to hear that, @strawberry. Let's hope the IVF goes brilliantly and it's a blessing in disguise!

@Yokey thanks! It just wasn't meant to be.
Least i know in my current employment they are flexible with days off / swaps etc so that may be worth a lot more

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Bless you @strawberrysummer19 I think going for jobs is always a useful experience, hopefully something equally as good or better comes up moving forward. For now your job seems to fit nicely around IVF so that’s good!

@Gardenlady543 yes most definitely
It's worth the experience and something will come up but at least I have a job and an income which is the main thing x

So....all change

The job I went for called and said they would like to 2nd interview me ?! They said I was borderline but the others didn't make it and they think they would like to put my application forward ?

Not sure what's happened but I did have it because I thought I owed it to myself
Sometimes things don't work out !

Anyway I'm just thinking IF I get it
Would I be wrong to take it because of maternity pay? I stated my current job in feb so have only been there 3 months but my ivf is in May so I would miss out anyway wouldn't I ???

Don't want to move and then miss out on maternity pay but also don't want to stay somewhere just incase ????

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Maternity pay is different from place to place so I would check your contract. My understanding is (and perhaps someone will correct me if I'm wrong) that you would be entitled to statutory maternity pay if you stayed. I think you'd also be entitled if you start your new job before becoming pregnant. Definitely don't take my word for it, but I think it's something like 26 weeks continuous employment by the time you're 25 weeks pregnant to qualify.

If you would get decent maternity pay, that would make a difference for me in a decision about where to work.

Thing is I'm on a fixed term contract which is supposed to be ending at xmas so I don't know if that would still apply? I can't see anywhere to ask and a bit confused about it all.

The new job is also a 12 month fixed term contract so I really don't know what to do

I don't like like job I am in but the thing is I'm trying to be realistic if the ivf didn't work without being negative

I know it can take rounds and rounds but then it can also happen on the 1st round but it may not even happen at all

This job is better pay and something I would love to do but I don't want to leave a job if it means I will be worse off financially

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Assuming you're not talking about a generous company maternity pay (which is unlikely on a fixed term contract), I would check that what I say about SMP is true (that you only have to start the job before becoming pregnant to qualify) and I would apply for the new job. You can pull out if you get pregnant before new job commences (if you get offered it).

I really don't know if the fixed term contract is an issue. Employers can claim back what they pay you so they may be happy to cover your maternity period (or maybe you're still entitled to it just based on the rules surrounding maternity entitlement??) Even if it is an issue, the new job would cover a longer period.

Perhaps maternityaction.org.uk could help with your fixed term question?

@yokey well my fixed term contract ends around Xmas time anyway
I'll have a look into that link thank you

I'm not starting Ivf until May so it's not until June time I'll know if I'm pregnant which is when the start date will be

I think I've decided I can't stay in a job I don't like just incase I get pregnant

But I'm going to sleep on it and see how I feel

I've been offered the job today 😀