Time off for ivf appointments

[Pinklady81]

Hello everyone

Just starting my first of 3 FET. First appointment this week after starting stims at weekend . My clinic is 1.5 hours away and I am a teacher so not ideal me being away from my job. How has everyone managed this as I feel really stressed about having time off and having to race back to work to then teach.... stress on top of this journey is now ideal is it.... many thanks for any advice

Ultimately I chose a clinic close to home/work for this reason and one that started scans at 730am - I also did short protocol and natural modified IVF so whole thing over in less than 2 weeks

This clinic is a good clinic so that's why I chose to go there surely it's choice when you are paying all that money thanks for the words though

Hi @pinklady81 it's probably best to discuss all of this with your work, they may have a policy about it. I know some teachers request unpaid leave so that they can have the time off during cycles. Also, can they fit a cycle in over the summer? When you say 3 FETs do you mean three rounds of ivf with embryo banking? Or do you have 3 frozen embryos to transplant (guessing this isn't the case as you mention stimms). If it's three rounds that is going to mean quite a few appointments over the coming months.

Ditto pp - you will need to speak with your employer as you will have a lot of appointments and with that travel time they will take up much of the day. Some places do have a policy for fertility treatment but lots don't. Unfortunately even those that do, it often isn't that generous. Also speak with your clinic to find out their earliest and latest appt times, although worth bearing in mind these are usually very popular for the same reason (everyone trying to fit round work)! So you can't bank on always having one of those, lots of mine were middle of the day annoyingly. It is hard with rigid working hours like yours so honesty with your employer is probably best, and giving them as much notice as possible.

My employer is aware and said that's okay but it's the guilt I'm doing 3 rounds and banking any embryos

Hey , I also had FET and my clinic is near my home , but it didn’t matter anyways , but to be honest , when I did my FET , I didn’t need much time off , the times I needed off was:
1st day - inject zoladex capsule under my skin for down regulation for FET cycle .
2 day- check lining is ready for trasfer
3rd day - trasfer day ,
And that is it !
Only needed 3 days off which thankfully I knew the dates for beforehand so I booked it off in advance :) I only needed to be seen 3 times in my FET cycle . Good luck xxx

@ShareLove you're talking about the actual transfer I think? I think the OP is meaning 3 cycles of egg retrieval which requires a lot more appts?

OP if your employer is happy that's great. Maybe meet with them to put a plan in place to ensure your workload is manageable and hopefully reduce your stress? You could also be referred to Occ health for support if needed? I found the headspace app helpful during my cycle to help me relax. Also getting out each day and continuing to exercise.

@Pinklady81 It's amazing that your employer supports you, this is precious and really important. I understand you feeling guilty about missing work, but it's all about balancing work-life. You need to do these treatments so you will pursue your dream of a family life which is really important for your future.

When you're not on time off, you can figure out that you can do as an extra for the kids, or the teaching, or something that will make you feel better.

@Pinklady81

I'm going through this now- my work has a policy where you get 2 days leave that you can use for each IVF cycle and then the rest is sick leave.

I would speak to your employer my clinic is also 1.5 hours away and honestly the time of some of my appointments ( mid day) mean that it is not worth me stressing and rushing back for work- my work understood this and unless I have an afternoon appointment, I have medical sick leave for the day.
If it's an afternoon app I work the morning then leave.

It's hospital appointments so you can't be penalised for the sick leave/ appointment time.

@PMAmostofthetime thanks for this I haven't seen a policy I've been out 2 mornings this week and my clinic have now asked me to go for an additional scan today before egg collection in Manchester so I'm on the train now .... not going to be back until mid afternoon but I suppose I chose my clinic and I did explain this to my boss that the clinic wasn't close and she agreed that it was something I had to do but doesn't take the guilt away and stress ...:

@Pinklady81 I completely understand your guilt as I feel the same and try to minimise the impact on my colleagues.

My boss reminded me the other day that some things are much bigger than work and this is one of them and if I don't put my all into it and relax, I may kick myself.