Work question advice

[Alwaysbelieving]

I’m currently off work with stress and had our 4th FET yesterday (final embryo for this cycle) my official blood test day is on my first day back at work - it’s at 8:20 am though so it would just be a case of going in a bit late. When requesting the time off we have to upload any letters but the one I have explicitly mentions ‘pregnancy test’ several times! I don’t particularly want them to know that and I feel like they know way too much already about what is happening in my treatment. I have in the past said I don’t have a letter but could request one if it was really needed and this was fine at the time (and not requested). I could try this again. The added worry is that of course this could be a negative test and I’ll not want to be in work anyway if this is the case. I am going to test on day 11 which will be a Saturday as my OTD should have been the Sunday but they aren’t open which is why it then became the Monday. Hopefully I’ll have two days to process the result before the blood test. What would you do regarding the leave request from work considering I’ve already been off for quite some time?

[hoping2021]

Have you maximised your statutory sick leave? If not, can you talk to your GP and ask for an extension to your fit note? They don't need to write everything on there. Mine just writes IVF.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to hoping2021]

Hi hoping. I think either qay, the result is going to throw you a bit, If you have used up all your self certfying sick leave, I'm sure your GP would give you a few more days off. You need to look after you to prepare for a yes or no result, Keep up with any prescribed medication and Folic Acid, and I wish you all the best. Diane

[Alwaysbelieving in reply to hoping2021]

No I don’t think I have. I have just put a request in anyway and said I don’t have a letter but could get one if they want to see it. If they do want it then I think I’ll ring the clinic and just ask for an appointment card or a vague letter. If they can’t do that I’ll ask my GP to extend my sick note. Thanks for your reply x

[Rhubarb5]

I always have to produce 'evidence' in the form of a letter as well. Sometimes I just black out any sensitive words. Can you do that with the words 'pregnancy test'? It will still have the date and time of your appointment and the letter head from your clinic.

[Sucre1705]

I think the best is speaking with your gp as that is what I did yesterday and gave me some time off work and didn’t state anything concerning my ivf or pregnancy.

[Lamagarden]

I’ve always redacted sensitive information. They don’t have a right to know the medical details.

[Lamagarden]

Good luck 🤞

[Ab1984]

Hi,

I agree with what’s been said here- you will be feeling vulnerable either way that day so I would definitely speak to your GP and get your note extended. I am in a similar boat-have been off with stress for 3 months now and am currently 8 weeks pregnant from our 3rd ivf cycle. My GP is very understanding that I must look after myself right now and yours should be the same! You have to look after yourself first and foremost!

Wishing you all the luck with the test and returning to work when you’re ready xx

[Alwaysbelieving in reply to Ab1984]

Thank you and huge congratulations! Hope you are feeling well xx