Time off work

[JenRoy]

Has anyone not taken time off work and work in a busy pressured job??

We’re starting downreg on 27th.

I went less-than-full-time 70% hours recently which is still 32-36hrs a week. I’m a doctor myself and work in a busy intense hospital job.

I’m not able to take any time off from work for treatment although they’ll have to let me off for egg collection and transfer.

But I’m beginning to worry about going back to work 24hrs after EC and 24hrs after ET. I really don’t want my job to affect our chances but I don’t think there’s anything I can do about getting time off xx

[gemmy999]

Hi, do you have holidays you can put in? I’m a paramedic and I took holidays for end for down reg and stimms and now office based during 2WW wait. Have you been to occ Health? During 2WW it goes down as pregnancy related sickness if you need time off. I’d never have been able to do my job at the end of stims with the pain I had. Hope it works out for you xx

[1987pos]

I'm a nurse and Its hard to predict the up and downs of ivf . What I anticipated I took as annual leave. Most of my journey took some unexpected turns so I had to take as sick leave .

[JenRoy]

Sadly can’t take annual leave as my rota for next 2 months is fixed leave So really tricky to get extra time! I’ve got a week off for 1st week of 2ww and a light week of work for 2nd week.

It’s the night shifts I’m worried about. But I’ll just have to go off sick I guess. Work are supportive in words but not really in actions xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

Are you safe to be back 24hours after EC if you have sedation drugs? I’m sure you know the answer to this being a doctor, but my clinic were adamant that I must not go back to work the day after egg collection and said that some insurances companies won’t view your car insurance as valid if you drive for 48 hours after sedation, so I had to ask, is it safe to be doing your job b24hours afterward? Hope you don’t think I’m rude for questioning it.

In other news though, I haven’t taken any time off other than 48 hours after sedation (I have ET under sedation too) and I don’t think having time off for the whole process would help me, my brain needs to be busy! I only work 0.6 but that’s still 30-35 hours and it’s pretty stressful.

[JenRoy in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

It’s a good point. Thanks.

Very very ironically...I’m an anaesthetist and ICU doc 😬. We normally advise don’t drive for 48hrs after a general anaesthetic but only 24hrs for sedation . But I think I will request 48hrs off “sick” post EC to recover from sedation and discomfort etc.

They’ll just have to deal with it!

It’s also ironic that working in healthcare doesn’t mean a supportive environment when staff need medical treatment! Xx

[vic77 in reply to JenRoy]

that seems so unfair 😡😡

[JenRoy in reply to vic77]

I know! But it’s partly my perception too. I feel immensely guilty taking time off (even though it’s legitimate and way more important) because it puts pressure on my colleagues. The dept will make my colleagues pick up the gaps in rota. But...this is way more important and I need to focus on me for a change! Thanks for your reply xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to JenRoy]

Yes! As my boss used to say, they won’t write on your gravestone about how hard you worked, but they will write about family.

[JenRoy in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Fab quote! And so true...really good reminder

[vic77 in reply to JenRoy]

Yup you do 😀Xx

[Montgomery2]

My job is pressured and I’ve decided to take 3 weeks off 2 weeks holiday and 1 week IVF leave xx

[JenRoy in reply to Montgomery2]

I so wish I could take 2 weeks off! I can take 1 week max. But I’ve taken a week off for the first week of 2ww so 🤞xx

[Montgomery2 in reply to JenRoy]

Well just do what you feel is right. If I was you I’d take some time off sick. X

[Ap98]

I have a job with losts of stress. The first times, I didn't take much time off as I was dealing ok with treatment. Plus was lucky my EC fall on a Friday. So rest on Saturday/Sunday...

Then last 2 times, I took more time off with sick leaves, as after EC, I was so bad (overstimulation).

But never took much tome after ET or FET... I tend to relax for 2 days and then normal activity but trying to avoid stress...

I personally think that yes there are lots of parameters, but there is luck too, or let's say biology! Thus, I'm trying to stay positive... this is working for other women so why not us?

So do not focus about that and just to stay in the good state of mind!!!!!

[JenRoy in reply to Ap98]

So true!!! Xx

[vic77]

it's so tough. .I am not a doctor but work a very busy stressful job as a psychologist in schools and I tried lots of ways. I worked on and off our 1st cycle then I got a doctor's line for a month transfer 2 then worked cycle 3..I ended up changing jobs for cycle 4 and cycle 5 we got our bfp. stress can be a factor I think it just depends how you cope. I did lots of mindfulness outwith work and walking my dog💜💜. surely doctors can get a line too? I say do whatever you feel works for you. you can go straight back to work after transfer and it doesn't take long but you will need day off for collection maybe eveb day after depending on how you feel xxx

[JenRoy in reply to vic77]

Thanks for your reply. Good to know you’ve tried different ways. I went 70% part time from Feb for IVF but annoyingly changed jobs and hospitals at the same time to a very intense and heavy rota. Sadly I had no choice as I’m told where to work.

But I’m so glad I’m 70%!! Amazing news for your BFP. I wish you all the best 😀xx

[vic77 in reply to JenRoy]

That's good at least..just try if you can to prioritise yourself for the journey ahead xxx

[Flimzee]

Hi there, sounds difficult juggling everything. I have a stressful job and didn’t take much time off although luckily for me egg collection fell on a Friday so had the weekend to get over. The first round of IVF I actually needed to take a week off as I was over-stimulated and couldn’t move without being in pain after egg collection. This last time was a beeeze in comparison, so you never know how your body is going to respond. My clinic also does GAs for egg collection, so depends on your clinic. I would err on side of caution by taking more time off after egg collection (going sick if necessary) depending on how you feel. I went straight back after embryo transfer and all was well. Good luck xxx

[JenRoy in reply to Flimzee]

Thank you! I’m lucky that most of the stimming bit of my protocol has fallen on a week off post night shifts. But I will take your advice and ensure I take more time off after EC. Very good to hear you went back straight after transfer and all was well. I just need to chill about work I think xx

[Missy_22]

I’m a nurse and I have taken three weeks unpaid leave and week annual leave. Nhs at very good giving time for these things.

my husband is a doctor and they have given him two weeks over this period of time which is so good considering like all doctors tour all very busy.

I would try and take a few more days after transfer so your not stressed.

Good luck xxx

[JenRoy in reply to Missy_22]

Thanks. After everyone’s advice I’m going to try and get an extra week off around EC and ET time. Such a crucial stage and I don’t want to be doing a set of 3 nights during it.

Part of the stress is guilt as my colleagues on the rota end up having to cover my shifts. There’s quite significant pressure for them to do so. And the rota is horrendous as it is 55-75hr weeks.

But...for once I need to put myself and this cycle first. Way too important!! Xx

[VTier]

Hi.. I am a nurse in a busy environment and i had no more annual leave to take.. I was determined to take off on my treatment days and i told my manager i’ll use my sick line.. She wasn’t happy about it but what can she do.. In my mind, she knows i an not turning up to work all week next week so she has to find someone to fill my post.. Lucky enough, she supported me of my decision eventually.. Anyway, I was sore during stimms and i felt I cannot do my job as quick as when i wasn’t on treatment.. Feel for your body, and listen to your mind.. Stress is a big factor to hurdle in this lonely journey of IVf..

Goodluck..

[JenRoy in reply to VTier]

Thank you. Well done for staying strong! I think I’ll end up doing the same. Best of luck xx