Balancing work and IVF

[Kat_15]

Hi lovely ladies. Hope you’re all well and having a good week. I’m shortly going to start my frozen transfer cycle (my first one) and I’m excited and scared all at the same time!

However I work in the NHS locally and we have told that we need to deliver cost savings by the next financial year so it likely there are going to be restructures/mergers with other local organisations in the next few months. I joined the organisation last year so I could work closer to home and have a less stressful job but I am now concerned what the next few months will bring. If I wasn’t trying for a baby then I would probably be looking for a new job now but I feel like that’s the last thing I need at the moment. I think my best option is to stay put and ride it out but it’s all very nerve racking! Any one else experienced this when going through IVF? I have also considered giving up work for a while to focus on IVF but I don’t feel I am ready for that step just yet. Thank you for any advice and experiences you can share. xxx

[Kh26]

Hello Kat,

I'm properly not going to be much use but here's what I did if this helps in anyway,

I'm currently on my last cycle but through my first fresh round there was like markers if that makes sense, I was 100% honest with my boss taken her in the letters and she granted me the time off work unpaid obviously, I had days off for scans, a couple of days off for egg retrieval and most importantly a good few days off for transfer due to being important.

The clinic advise you to keep a normal working life but hey that might be why my first round failed who knows. But definitely stay in the job your in now otherwise it might not too good to an employer .

I do hope this helps and good luck for your cycle 😘 Xxxx

[Kat_15 in reply to Kh26]

Hello, thanks so much for your reply. I really appreciate you sharing your experience. My manager is really great so I have seriously considered telling him what I am going through but because I only joined last year I have taken the decision not to tell him for the time being. When I had my egg collection I told him I was having an operation which was why I needed leave at short notice and in my appraisal conversation this week when talking about my ‘five year plan’ I said I would like children in the future so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has guessed particularly as I moved to this role for work life balance reasons. I think you’re right that I should stay put and ride it out. Worse case scenario is that I opt to take voluntary redundancy if a restructure does happen. Wishing you lots of luck with your journey. Thank you again for replying. 😊 Xx

[Militarywife7]

That does sound tricky, especially as you chose that job for stability during treatment. I've stayed in my job which isn't local with a stressful commute, because I didn't want to risk needing time off in a new position and them not being understanding.

Because ive been with them for a few years, they have been incredibly flexible and understanding which has made such a difference.

I would personally stay with your job, and reflect down the line if it doesn't suit your situation. I think you should be cautious about giving up work as you may not have a routine anymore. I know I would go crazy if I wasn't was work, especially if I had more time to overanalyse. But obviously everyone is different and you should do whats best for you. xx

[Kat_15 in reply to Militarywife7]

Hello, thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. Do you mind me asking if you have explained to your employer what you’re going through? My manager is great and I did tell him I was having a small operation when I had my egg collection as I needed to book the leave at fairly short notice. He was very supportive. I think if I end up going through multiple cycles/transfers then I may decide to confide in him but I would prefer not to for the time being. I think I will stay put in my job for now and ride out the change. Thanks again for replying. Wishing you all the best. xx

[Stephybivf]

Hi kat, I too work for the NHS. I have been 100% honest with my boss and unfortunately due to stress during my 1st failed cycle I went off sick. I am starting my second cycle on Friday and my boss has given my an IVF policy which allows you to have paid leave during cycles. It may be worth asking your boss if the trust have one? Good luck xx

[Kat_15 in reply to Stephybivf]

Hi Stephy. Sorry for my slow reply. Glad to hear your employer has been understanding. I haven’t told my boss yet but I may do if we need to go through multiple cycles. Wishing you lots of luck too. xx