Short protocol advice....

[MrsH007]

We had our consent appointment on Thursday and looks like we will be starting our first short protocol ICSI end of July as we have a holiday in June which we need to get out the way first.

I have a job which includes lots of travelling, I stay in hotels 2-4 nights per week and I really want to try and plan my diary and annual leave in a way that prevents me from having to tell my boss about IVF. I just received a promotion and I would like to keep this to myself for fear of criticism as to why I accepted the job!

Anyway, the clinic told me that I would start injections on day 2 of my period, for two weeks and then would need a few days off after egg collection.

We pick up our meds and have a teaching session at the beginning of July so will get a clear breakdown of our cycle then but would just like some advice as to pre empting the annual leave I should book in August. If I start my cycle end of July do I take a week off a week later just to give enough flexibilities for scans and transfer?

Your honest advice is most welcome and appreciated.

Thank you

[Ash2016]

Hi MrsH, I think it's hard to say as it will all depend on how long you stim for. On my first cycle I wasn't scanned until I had been stimming for 7 days. I am on my second cycle now and am was scanned for the first time on day six. I've then had scans alternate days since (mon wed fri) this week and due for another scan on Monday. Depends on what others/your clinic says but maybe it would be better to take the second week of stims off. Good luck x

[MrsH007 in reply to Ash2016]

That’s so helpful, thank you! 🤞for you xxx

[Sarah_S]

I had first scan on day 7, then every other day, unless it was coming up to a weekend then might have a 2 day gap, Friday and Monday. My first clinic did evening scans, which was very useful! My current clinic only do afternoon scans so I knew I could work in the mornings. It's really quick so if you're close enough maybe you could do lunchtimes? Ask your clinic if there is a time of day they usually do scans. Be careful with your time off as you will want 2 days off for egg collection, and at least a day for transfer. Sad for you if you think your employer wouldn't be understanding about it, they'll still have you for another 9 months at least! x

[MrsH007 in reply to Sarah_S]

God willing only 9 months 🙏🏻, thanks for your reply 💕

[Pip89]

Hi lovely, I have just completed my first cycle - short cycle and I was scanned on day 5 (Friday), then day 8 (Monday) and day 10 (Wednesday). I had egg collection on day 12 (Friday) but due to OHSS we froze all. I only had OHSS relatively mildly but it’s taken a week for me to feel back to normal... I can’t speak for a ‘normal’ egg collection and a transfer, but if I have to do it again I would defo take a good few days after collection. Good luck!! X

[MrsH007 in reply to Pip89]

Thank you! I was told that I am at risk of OHSS and we may need a freeze all cycle too. 🙏🏻🤞 for you xxxx

[Lynnr54]

Hi, I think when you are scanned and how often depends on your clinic’s approach to it all and how well you are responding to stims. I can’t remember the exact days I was scanned but I seem to recall I had 3 scans over a 10 day period and then egg collection on Day 13. You definitely need the whole day for egg collection off and you won’t know when that is until a couple of days beforehand. Personally, I went back to work the following day and was fine with doing so, although was still feeling a bit sore so took it easy. Transfer will usually be 2, 3 or 5 days later depending on how many eggs you get, their quality and your clinic’s policy.

The other thing to be aware of is that many ladies find that when waiting for a cycle AF does all sorts of weird and wonderful things and turns up early or late so it can be difficult to predict Day 1.

But, assuming AF turns up on time then maybe you can plan to travel for the first 3-4 days of stims (or phone your clinic and ask when Day 1 scan is). Then work locally towards the end of week 1 and beginning of week 2 and then take annual leave after that? The other option could be to tell work that you have to have a minor operation and have a couple of pre-consults if you don’t want to take annual leave off? Or have a look to see if you have an IVF policy which says what you’re entitled to? I know you don’t want to tell your work but if you do have an ivf policy it could be an indication that they’ll be more accommodating than you realise?

[MrsH007 in reply to Lynnr54]

Thank you for your advice. My company don’t have an IVF policy but I think I can do as you say and plan to be local end of week 1 and take annual leave week 2 and 3, maybe 3 days each week as then I will defo need to be local the other two days as can’t travel and stay away from home when it’s only for 1-2 days.

Hoping this will work. Thank you for your help 👍 xxxxx