Time off after embryo transfer

[IVFlife]

Hi. If you've had an embryo transfer did you take any time off work? Did you go back to work the same day? Did you have some time off? Or full 2 weeks off? And what were your reasons/would you do if differently again?

trying to figure out what I want to do. Thanks.

2 of my transfers were on a Saturday (the first transfer I went straight to a wedding although I didn’t dance or overdo it while at the wedding, that was successful but miscarried at 8 weeks), I used the Sunday as the recovery days, the other 2 were on a week day. I did take the following day off with the week day transfers and used annual leave for both.
I didn’t particularly change anything on rest days, I don’t normally exercise anyway but I did refrain from bending over too much or lifting heavy objects.
After the 4th and successful transfer I went for a 25/30 minute walk and also a nice meal after the transfer. This helped relax me.
I wouldn’t change anything I done but do what’s best for you, following others advice is good to know but you want to feel comfortable with the decision you make.
Good luck :)

So far all three of my embryo transfers I have just gone straight back into work before/after tbh. It made myself not think about it too much just like it was a standard thing to do 🤣🙈

the transfer I have this month I’ve decided to take a day off on the transfer and it’s actually going to fall on a Friday so will also have the weekend which will be nice!

not sure if there is a right or wrong way to do it, maybe just what feels right to you? I felt this time it would be nice not to rush from work and try and get back. Hopefully be less stressful to take the day! Previous transfers I didn’t have enough holiday days left, so it wasn’t really an option to take the day. Plus I’d already got time off for appointments leading up to the transfer!

I was wondering this as well op. Thank you for asking.
I was planning on working during the tww but I think if it is positive, then I’m going to get signed off work. But I’ve had three losses already

@StuffLoriThangs im a bit worried working too if my transfer ends in a positive as my job isn’t ideal for pregnancy with lots of risks. But then also im not sure how I can get out of working as I really wouldn’t like to tell my employer until I’ve had a viability scan as my last three transfers all ended in miscarriage 😢

My employer knows about my miscarriages and knows I’m doing ivf. I was put in a position to here I had to say.
so I’m sure my GP will give me a line.
I mean, I’m sure you could get your GP on board. Someone at my work was signed off for severe fatigue and sickness (no mention of pregnancy, even though that’s why they were off).

just need to do what’s best for you.

Your employer has a duty of care to you, so in some ways, if they know then they can do a risk assessment.

I had annual leave last time because the time was awkward & I wanted to relax. I could have gone back to work happily though.

My transfer is tomorrow and I’m going to work from home afterwards then back to normal & distractions (!) from Thursday.

I sort of feel like I want to be in a little bubble for a bit. I'm not sure what I'll feel but I think I want the option of being off for a day or so at least

I've had 3 losses too. I've changed Fertility Specialist and in this last transfer she asked me to be off work during the TWW and the take it really easy. I don't do heavy jobs regularly though but she just wants I take it easy, relax and have lots and lots of progesterone.

I'm hoping this will make a difference (plus I'm taking a bunch of other new medicines). It's the only FS that has told me to not work during the TWW.

Good luck!

Perhaps you could tell them you have COVID (a week) and then still feeling very sick?

The doctor's note doesn't have to specify the illness.

Good luck!

Hey op ! I had a transfer and I went back to work the next day ! And it’s physical work too like lifting ! I know they say you should rest ect but I couldn’t afford any more days off , but mine transfer still worked !

It's different for everyone. You don't need time off but if you want to, up to you. Bear in mind if this cycle doesn't work you might need previous leave for future appts etc though. Personally I carried on with life as normal bar stopping exercising and increasing walking. Not going to work would have made the time drag far more and frankly all that free time would probably have sent me a bit loopy with worry.

when I went for my embryo transfer (nhs) the consultant gave me a 14 day sick note to take me up to finding out if it had been successful. My job is a weird one for this time as I’m a police officer so wouldn’t be able to go out and get involved in potentially violent incidents as I could be technically pregnant but didn’t want to have to explain to everyone what was happening. I’m never normally off ever and my boss was really supportive. I’m currently 19 weeks pregnant so it’s all worked out.

Ive only done the one transfer, on a week day, and went straight from the clinic to work, by public transport.
My job isnt particularly heavy or stressful, though.

I didnt change my routine at all in my TWW, and it all worked! Closing in on my due date!

For me I rested spent the next day in bed and slept lots, rested couple of more days after. I know they said that bed rest may not be good for ET as your body need to have good circulation but for me I felt like I needed to take it easy not think of work and just concentrate on me. It resulted in a positive pregnancy test.