Hello , we are about to have our final cycle of IVF with our remaining embryo.
Has anyone taken time off work during their ivf ?
Friends are telling me I should take time out to give this last go my best shot. Really don’t know what to do , any advice appreciated 😊, xx
I'm about to start my first round and I can barely get time off for the scans, collection and transfer- I have to work overtime to 'make up' the time I'll miss but unfortunately this is normal practice for my employer who put you on disciplinary action if you have 3 days of sick in a year (3 days!). I'll have to work all through my 2ww.
If you can afford the time and want it then you're lucky to have it. I would make the most of it x
Unrelated to the original post but your work sounds awful, is that even legal? You can't help it if your unwell, its hardly a reason to give some a disciplinary, very bad employer, they should be ashamed. Hopefully you get preggers and out of there 😊 xx
Thanks hun I appreciate your response. I think they had too many people exploiting the sick system in the past so they just have an almost zero tolerance policy now 
They distinguish between leave for medical treatment that is necessary and treatment that is 'voluntary,' so all my IVF they treat as a 'choice'. I wish I had more annual leave to use for it but I'd already booked holidays etc before I knew I'd need my vacation days for treatment. I don't want to delay it as I've waited a long time to have a family so I just have to try my best to juggle work and treatment.
Not sure what stage you're at but best of luck with your journey, thanks so much for taking the time to reply x
How does your employer treat working parents? If their child is ill and they need to stay home to look after them, are they given disciplinary action too? After all, they could argue that is a choice. Is there any way you can find a new job? It can’t be helping your fertility journey. Do you have a union or anything similar that you belong to? Sounds like you need some employment support. xxx
Yeah they argue that as we have flexible working it's up to us to properly manage our 'time and sickness'. I really appreciate your response though x
Thank you for your advice , xx
I about to have my frozen transfer on Tuesday!!
I am having a week off work to do nice things and rest!!
With my first transfer I worked right through it and ended with a chemical pregnancy!! I’m not saying working was the reason cause it probably wasn’t but we want to try everything possible this time xxx
Thank you for sharing your experience, xx
I'll be having my first FET at some point this coming week and I will be working through. I will be off on EC day then back in the day after.
I think it totally depends how you feel. I don't mind working through as I think it will take my mind off it slightly but we're all different. Xx
I took 2 weeks off after transfer of my first cycle ended up a chemical pregnancy. Second time I took 5 days off BFN. This time I’m taking 5 days off as well.
You have to do what you think is best for you Hun. Good luck.
Thank you 😘 xx
Take time off even if its a few days your body will let you know if you need anymore time off xx
Your advice is appreciated, xx
I took 3 weeks off from egg collection to otd and and i got a bfp. I work in a stressful environment so i wasn’t prepared to put myself in that situation during my tww. Wishing you lots of luck for your final cycle, fingers crossed this is the one! 🤞🏼😘 xx
I work in a busy hospital & after 4 failed cycles and working through them all in my heart I know I have to put myself first this final time , thank you for sharing your experience, xx
Put yourself first, ive always put work first and went in to work the days i needed desperately to be at home and realised it wasn’t worth it. As this is your final time try book it off or get a sick note x
First cycle I didn't take time off after the transfer, it was done on a Saturday n I was back at work on the Monday, when we had out FET I wanted to give it a good shot I had 5 days off, I find my job quite stressful so found the time off beneficial xx
I worked through my first round and got a bfn, I took two weeks off this round and got my 1st bfp in 12 yrs. may not be related at all but if I had to do it again I would take time off
My employer is the same,not at all helpful and the only thing offered is unpaid leave days for scans etc. I’m cabin crew and my hospital is an hour away,the stress of then having to take unpaid leave doing the long protocol will leave me hugely out of pocket and I don’t see why we should be penalised for having to go through ivf. I explained to my doctor last week who was amazing and agreed you need to not be stressed out and they need to be more accommodating so for that she’s signing me off for the whole protocol. She said if it’s maternity related which it is as we are injecting etc to get pregnant then it should be covered under a maternity policy and there isn’t really anything they can do about it. Good luck 🙏
Your advice is v much appreciated xx
I didn’t take time off with my first fresh cycle and it failed. For my next frozen I took pretty much all the 2ww off work and it was successful and I have my miracle 2 and half year old. Had my remaining 2 frozen blastos transferred last month and took the 2ww off work again and am currently 6 weeks pregnant awaiting my scan next week. Time off work, I think, worked for me. Although I only have a desk job it can be stressful at times and have to go up and down stairs all day between offices. If you are able to take time off work I would definitely recommend it but understand it is not always possible.
Good luck with your final cycle xxx
Hi Tish, are you able to discuss with your boss or a HR/welfare rep, or find out what your employer policy is on this as medical leave?
E.g. is it considered the same as for maternity-related appointments/scans etc by your employer? ( Which it should be IMO and for many employers is)
In my company it is so for example I had EC 1 full day as medical leave and ET as a 1/2 a day . Didn't take any sick leave for symptoms or stress etc but could have if necessary.
That aside in terms of taking holiday it's your choice, if your job is stressful like many of the ladies on here are saying then some down time may be good?
For myself I actually prefer to keep busy to take my mind off it didn't take much time off but it's up to you and how much holiday you can take?
On here there are many posts from 2ww-ers all spending the time in different ways...
I have an FET coming up and taking the clinic appt as a half day medical leave but have decided to take the rest of the day as holiday. My OH will be taking holiday the whole day so we will probably treat ourselves to go to cinema or veg at home with a movie the rest of the day.
But after that the dreaded 2ww I think I'll try to go back to a 'normal' routine!, 😁😌
In my previous cycles I have used annual leave , I work in a hospital, spoke to HR & my Trust doesn’t have an ivf policy. After 4 failed cycles in my heart I know this time I have to take some sick leave & put myself first , thank you for your reply , really appreciate it , xx
Oh my, sorry to hear there isn't an IVF policy, NHS as well!
Pretty ridiculous.
From your experience though I think you are definitely doing the right thing to take time out and take care of you!!
Def speak to your GP if they could help you with this.
Good luck with it!🤞💕
I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer here but down to how stressful your job is and personal choice. However, when I get to this point I’m going to do my best to tie in with time off. I know the results are down to how your body responds but if it wasn’t successful I don’t want ‘what if’ thoughts creeping in my mind. X
It’s the ‘what if’ thoughts that I don’t want. My job can be stressful at times , late leaving & grabbing lunch etc when you get 5mins isn’t ideal. I know deep down I have to put myself first & not worry about letting people down at work.
Thank you for your reply, much appreciated, xx
Hi tish44,
I have my first round of ivf starting next month and I am taking 2 weeks holiday before egg collection followed by 2 weeks sick leave after. I work in a high stress environment and my employer has been very understanding. I have a friend who I work with who just took the time from egg collection and she advised me to do this as she really found it hard. My employer understands that I am not going to be functioning at 100% and we agreed that this was the best thing for everyone.
You need to do what feels right for you, you could try working through and then just ask for the time if you can’t manage.
Good luck xx
I really appreciate you sharing about your ivf , thank you xx
I didn't take any days off after my first transfer and had bfn... I was devastated that's why I'm going to take time off after next frozen one. I think driving 40-60 miles a day made it unsuccessful...silly me 😔 We even decided to cancel our holidays in Oct.
Good luck Tish🤞🍀😊
Thank you for your reply , v much appreciated, xx
Good morning,
i believe that you should take time off work... and trying to relax, rest,.. whatever make you happy, positive, calm,...
After 2 unsuccessful IUIs, we went to IVF - and i stayed at home during 2ww - and the result was BFP! (i don't know if thats the reason but it was a good decision 😉)
Enjoy your time ❤️☺️
Oh, and GOOD LUCK ❤️🍀🍀🤞🤞
You have to do what you feel is right for you. I took time off for my first cycle, stayed at home chilled out and pampered myself and unfortunately it failed. The second time we went away on a lovely relaxing holiday after transfer and spent the week on the beach and again it failed! This time round I went to work, carried on as normal and I am now 18 weeks pregnant so I really don’t think it matters what you do! Wishing you lots of luck xxxx
My first collection and transfer I only had two days off after each and then 3 days off after it failed. My fET I was signed off by the dr for my whole tww and the week after and it was good news! Currently 9 weeks 5 days ! My advise would be to keep busy! I went to west wales for the weeek, then Blackpool for a weekend for the dartS... don’t ask and then the last few Days I went for lunch, met up with friends and family and made time for myself ! You’ve got nothing to lose by takin time off ! I have everything crossed for you 💗
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