Did you self isolate during IVF?

[Lola98]

I am currently stimulating and I worried about working in a university and covid. The nurse today had said that a lot of people self isolate during ivf. This will be my last attempt at ivf after 2 failed cycles, I am 42. Have any of you isolated during treatment? How did you tell your work? No one is aware I am going through ivf and I don’t want them to know. Thanks in advance x

Hi, I had to tell my employer as my clinic is about 40 mins away. Plus had to request my annual leave randomly for scans. But this cycle I had to request leave for 7 days since I was under some stress. So stayed home through out this cycle. I am did true short protocol so that was all I needed, had my egg collection today, will rest tomorrow and back to work on Wednesday. I am 40 and hope it goes well for you.

Are you able to work from home?

I'm hopefully starting stims in the next day or so just waiting on CD1

I've told my work as I've not long started my job and I didn't want the stress of it and they were fine however I am still contemplating not going into the office - I probably will try and work from home where I can x

@Lola98 I didn't isolate however we just went to work & straight home & we both did lateral flow tests everyday. We are going through another cycle now & doing the same. It's hard as obviously you will be with a lot of people, it's about what you feel is best for you really. I do worry this time round as my partner works for a football club & obviously they are back to full capacity again but we just try all we can to keep safe.

@Keyu thank you, I hope your egg collection went well. I am doing blended working so I am in work and working from home. Me work are just being a bit awkward about it and were questioning my appointments. I really don’t want to tell them though, we never told anyone during previous 2 cycles either as then there is no pressure on us x

@strawberrysummer19 thank you, that is good that your work is being understanding. I hope your stimms go ok 🙂 x

@Reefy thank you, I think you’re right. I am regularly resting myself too because of my job. My work are just being awkward about me going to appointments. I have just told them that they are medical appointments as I don’t want to tell them what it’s for x

@Lola98 everyone has a right to their privacy & they shouldn't even been asking as it's personal! Just say you would like them to respect your privacy

@Reefy thanks, I agree 😊👍

They should keep their curiosity to themselves. It's such a personal and private matter. Sorry you're coming under pressure.

I had egg collection before covid and so before isolation and covid cancellations was a thing. I've just had a fet and didn't isolate but I probably would if it was full IVF. I cannot imagine getting covid after growing all those eggs and having to waste them and start again.

You just say you are currently undergoing some medical treatment and have been advised to isolate.

They are not allowed to question what that is.

If they do, I wonder if you could get your GP to write a vague note just saying that you are advised to isolate for the next two weeks without mentioning the reason. This is something they would probably do (there might be a small fee attached).

Sorry they are kicking up a fuss about it! It's not nice to have any additional pressure during this period is it :(

I had to isolate and have covid tests before 2 egg collections and fresh embryo transfers earlier this year. My clinic is based within a hospital so they had to follow the trust rules. I'm lucky though as I WFH anyway.

I'm due to attend 2 work events just before my FET in December so I will be negotiating with work to be excused. I went on a train yesterday for the first time in nearly 2 years and no one was wearing a mask or giving each other space at the station (not London). I found it v stressful as I've limited my social contact all year to protect myself and not risk jeopardising IVF.

I have told work about the IVF as I've taken sick leave and then "pregnancy related" sick leave for miscarriage. I appreciate everyone's employer is different. I'm very lucky that my line manager is incredibly supportive and is clear that I'm entitled to take sick leave. Unfortunately we're waiting for restructure so I'll have a different line manager, likely not as supportive.

Do you have to be specific? I told them it's an important personal health related issue and that I do not feel comfortable sharing more details.

@CurbsideProphet thank you for your message and I am sorry to hear about your miscarriage and good luck with your FET. I think me work are feeling under pressure as we are short staffed. I had my 2nd scan yesterday and they called to say that I have chance of OHSS so they need to do a freeze all until my body calms down. I have another scan tomorrow and I think I will probably get egg retrieval on Monday. I am just going to call in sick on Monday just in case my work refuse my day off x

@IsabelHerna thanks for your message, I have told my work that I have medical appointments but they quoted some policy to me about appointments but they have given me time away from work to attend. I had my 2nd scan yesterday and they called to say that I have chance of OHSS so they need to do a freeze all until my body calms down. I have another scan tomorrow and I think I will probably get egg retrieval on Monday. I am just going to call in sick on Monday just in case my work refuse my day off x

@Lola98 That's so annoying! How can they refuse to something like this?! In any case, it doesn't matter, what matters is that you're having your egg retrieval 🤗 Good luck with that! Keep us posted ☺

@IsabelHerna thank you 😊 I had egg retrieval today and got 21 eggs retrieved. I have a chance of ohss so I’ve to take an injection each evening in case of blood clots. I am a bit sore but hopefully should be better tomorrow 👍

21 is a lot! How does that compare to previous cycles?

@Lola98 that's a good number! I hope you managed to get a day off tomorrow to rest up or take another sick day.

@Holskey my first cycle I retrieved 22 eggs and second cycle was 15 eggs. Not a lot of them lasted until day 5, first cycle I had one blastocyst and second cycle I had 2 blastocysts. I am hoping I have at least 2 on day 5 🤞

@Reefy thank you, I am working from home tomorrow so it’s not too bad x

Fingers crossed for you 🤞 And I hope the wait to find out isn't too tough!

My GP wrote me a sick line and I isolated x

@unknownscot I wish I had now too. I noticed your username, I had my treatment in Scotland x

@Lola98 hope you are feeling ok this morning 😊

@Reefy thank you, I feel a lot better today. Just feel a bit bruised in the inside. I’ve been asked to drink a lot of water today. 13 of the eggs fertilised on day 2. They will call me back on Thursday with an update 🤞