Working during 2ww after FET

[Clairebear1208]

What's everyone's opinion. Having ivf and needing to take lots of time off work for appointments as there'll be lots of monitoring. Taking 2 weeks off after FET will eat up lots of holidays and likelihood of needing multiple cycles. I'm a pharmacist so working remotely is not an option. Any thoughts?

The TWW is stressful so I always find it best to keep busy and work is a helpful distraction. Also good for blood flow to be up on your feet and moving about.

I had the day of transfer off work but worked the rest. I also can’t work remotely, I felt better being at work because it took my mind off of it. I felt fine throughout, my work are very supportive so that helps.

Yes, i'm leaning towards just a few days as i'm not good on my own so hopefully I can strike a balance

I definitely get a lot of time on my feet so blood flow won't be a problem. Thanks for your advice

Why would you need the TWW off? Honestly, the distraction of work is a blessing. I wouldn't waste holiday on it.

@Clairebear1208 i have already spoken to my dr and he has said it will be fine to give me a two week sick line for my TWW as I know I won’t be able to concentrate properly and have a stressful job and will be meant to avoid stress at that time. I don’t think anyone should have to take annual leave during fertility treatment!

Because my job is quite stressful and physically demanding!

If you have a stressful job, that makes sense! At least you know, you'll have givenself the absolute best chance! Some jobs are more demanding than others. I'm based in a health centre pharmacy dispensing 15,000 items a month with a huge workload alongside a busy travel clinic and i think a week for me would be sensible!

@Clairebear1208 I can understand your concerns with potentially needing multiple cycles, but especially if this is your first cycle you'd want to weigh up options of give it everything in one or if you think it would be manageable to return to work day after in case you need further treatment.

I worked in private equity and the stress and hours were too much so I had to resign so we could focus on our IVF journey (they wouldn't let me take the time off I needed). If your work will allow you to take 2 weeks off it could be worth it, other than the occasional niggling feelings throughout the cycle its been great not having to do the commute and deal with people/stressful environments out of your control.

I only took the transfer day off. I’m an over thinker so I definitely needed to be at work for a distraction!

@Clairebear1208 this was my thought too, at least I will know I gave it my best shot. I understand that people find it a good distraction but I just know with what I’m like even now I’ll end up being distracted at work cause I won’t be able to stop thinking about it and googling about it. Then potentially make a mistake at work and end up really stressed over it then would stressed that I’m getting stressed. Maybe I’m Catastrophising but think it’s a good plan for the first cycle. I’m taking the week of my collection off as well. I’ve never been off sick in all my time working before so I think it is a fair reason to use it

Wishing you all the best

@Clairebear1208 thank you! This is my first cycle so I am starting my stims at the end of this week

Unfortunately whether or not it's successful is down to luck for most, unless you have as yet undiagnosed complexities. There is no evidence taking it easy or doing anything different to normal life makes any difference. Even the standard recommendation to not exercise is precautionary and not really based on any decent evidence. It's up to you whether or not you work, I'm just trying to reassure you there is no reason not to work, regardless of your job. As per pp holiday days may be vital for future treatment if this one doesn't work - on average it takes 3 cycles to achieve success. Good luck.

Hi @Clairebear1208, I have just had a failed fresh cycle so thought I’d give you my two cents.

I have a very stressful job managing people and the only time I took off were half days for the collection, transfer and scans (we live quite far from the clinic). For our next cycle I will most certainly be taking at least 1 week off immediately after transfer.

I had the transfer on a Monday and with the progesterone starting and messing up my hormones, I became the most stressed I have ever been in my entire life by the Wednesday. I couldn’t think straight and was beyond emotional. I am a very laidback person and went into IVF naively thinking it would be a breeze, but it wasn’t. I genuinely think the stress I was under from work which was then exasperated by the med / treatment side effects, had a negative part to play in our cycle.

If you can I’d suggest taking a week off and see how you’re feeling after that. This is the most important thing you can do and you should look after yourself during it 😀

I'm going to say the opposite after initially wanting to have lots of time off to focus on my IVF cycle.

I lost my job in October, and decided to freelance so I had a lot of flexibility during my first IVF cycle. Every appointment except one scan ended up being on at the weekend, and I was up and around the next day from the EC, and transfer was a breeze. I had lots of fertility acupuncture, yin yoga classes, spent lots of time preparing and eating healthy meals, relaxing walks with my dog. Everything was about my IVF cycle.

It still failed.

I don't want to replicate this for multiple cycles, so I've accepted a new job, starting in March. Fortunately, I'm located only 15 minutes from the hospital, and will have to handle my March FET with some 'pre-planned days off' and morning scans.

If I need another egg retrieval, I'll do it in May, as there's lots of public holidays then, and I can more easily book a day off here and there to ease things.

I am grateful I had all the time off for my first cycle, but I can't deal with my whole life being around IVF. Even in the most opportune conditions, it didn't work, and I can't put my life on hold indefinitely. For now, it'll need to work around me.

Guess all depends on you as a person, I’m very lucky my workplace has a policy which allows me upto 5 days special leave. So due to living 2hrs away from the clinic came in very handy for those monitoring scans. I took few days after transfer off to just take it easy let my body come to terms with everything. Then going back to work has been my saviour!! I have a demanding job, but I found being home the overthinking and over analysing of every symptom was really messing with my mind and emotions. I’m on my third round of IVF, and can honestly say each time has been different. First round AF came before I even made it to test day. Second round worked but miscarried at 6 weeks. This round…I’m literally praying daily for a miracle cause this rollercoaster is HARD!! We are all in this together, everyone’s journey is unique but lots of similar experiences.