Time off for IVF

[seven201]

It's looking possible that we'll need IVF. My head is not good at allowing people time off for appointments. Do I have a right to time off for IVF appointments? I'm in secondary if that makes a difference. Of course I'll try and minimise disruption to lessons, but sometimes that just won't be possible.

I'm in the same boat. I've had three so far and each time I've just submitted a leave form saying 'hospital appointment'. He hasn't asked me yet what they're for, but I'll tell him when he does.

@NellieBee thanks for your reply. If you don't mind me asking, how many appointments do you think an average ivf cycle has? The thought of organising the time off is stressing me out more than the thought of the actual ivf!

And good luck with your ivf

Thanks, good luck to you. We've had three appointments but no IVF yet; consultation, blood tests, follicle scan.

@seven201 I've had several cycles and there are a number of appointments. Be aware that when it's getting close to egg collection and transfer you'll need to be scanned every couple of days until they determine you have enough eggs of the right quality and that your womb lining is thick enough for transfer. In my last cycle I had to be scanned three times in one week before egg collection and twice in one week before transfer.

Thanks @Ginger1982 I thought it might be as frequent as that. Agh

This article might help; www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/workplace-rights-for-those-undertaking-ivf-treatment/

I had daily scans for mon- fri and then the following mon-weds. These took at up to two or so hours with waiting or getting more meds or having to see a nurse to learn how to do a new injection, etc... so it wasn't always a simple in and out (particularly in the second week). Then egg collection on Friday (all day) and transfer the following weds. 10 days later, I had to go in for bloods.

This was a short cycle.

I quit teaching because the kids (and parents) were so shitty about my missing lessons (a total of 6 lessons over a week and a half) for a simple follicle tracking cycle previously. It was a fucking nightmare. But by the time we did our cycle, I was a bit over the stress of it and it was successful!

If it's at all possible, I'd try to have at least some of it over holidays or get signed off during the actual cycle...

I hope you don't end up needing ivf!! Good luck!!

Thanks @TheletterZ

@physicskate that's exactly what I'm worried about. Especially as the clinics I like the look of aren't close to school, so I have to factor in travel time and getting my dd to and from nursery. I can't afford to change job or reduce my days unfortunately.

Summer? Next summer?

@physicskate can't do this summer for various reasons. Next summer feels a long time away and I'll be much nearer 40 by then. I think I probably need to speak to the head and go from there. It probably wouldn't be until winter that we'd be starting, so I'm not going to tell her yet. It's good to be prepared though, so thank you everyone for replying.

My friend (primary) got signed off sick during it, reason given as stress or similar. I got the impression the clinic had suggested it and said it was fairly common. Please do what is best for you, not your school. Good luck!

In my LA IVF is considered pregnancy related so not covered under usual absence rules so appointments are granted automatically. Worth checking with HR?

Thank you @Threeisme and @Inglenooks that's reassuring to read.

Hi @seven201 I’m a teacher currently going through ivf.

Firstly you’re not officially entitled to time off for Ivf. However obviously depending on how comfortable you are with your head and how supportive you feel they would be I would be open and honest with them. I was nervous about telling my head and he was great and incredibly supportive.

Lots of clinics offer scan appointments from 8am so it might be a case of just needing cover for first hour of the day. Or after 3pm so not as to impact lessons as such. When it comes to appointments try to be upfront with clinic and they will try and work it around you too. Although somethings can’t be helped.

I got myself in such a state worrying about cover etc but I have come to the realisation this is more important. I had unexpected time off after egg collection as I was poorly for a week. Due to that I had to freeze all and now just about to have my first frozen embryo transfer.

Just be honest if you can with people around you and try your very best to not let it impact school and your head will see that you are trying and hopefully support you.

You can also access more information at ACAS for working rights. Ensure you are in a union too (I hope you would be!) and finally if all else fails you can be signed off sick but hopefully it won’t come to that. Good luck

Thank you @Whatelsecouldibecalled . If I do start ivf I will tell the head why. I just don't know how she'll react as she really is against time off during school hours. Hopefully the clinic I go with will be accommodating around school.

Best of luck for your transfer!

A colleague and friend has recently been through this. She used a clinic which offered evening appointments for precisely this reason.

It's a hospital appointment, how can your head be difficult about them? It's not as if you can take annual leave. I haven't had ivf but I had days off to attend a recurrent miscarriage clinic and nothing was said to me.

How is your head generally? I have done five cycles and my school have been so supportive. They even gave me a reduced timetable for my two week wait and time with our school counsellor. I would be open and honest about it, my feeling is that it's the same as pregnancy leave and they cannot discriminate.

my feeling is that it's the same as pregnancy leave and they cannot discriminate

Please be careful here - it’s great that many headteachers are supportive but time off for fertility treatment is not protected by law in the way that antenatal appointments are.

100% you are only covered by pregnancy laws once you have had transfer as at that point you are official pregnant until proven otherwise