How do you balance work and IVF?

becky · Post by **becky** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:28 pm

Hello Girls..I think that the time has come for me to take the plunge and give up work...but before I do please reassure me that I am not in a stage of panic. We have done 2 ICSI and work did support me..but the chance of them allowing me more time off for further treatment is nil..is that against the law? Any one know? I am in 2 minds about the whole thing..would I be bored ? have no money and what if the treatment fails..have nothing? or it would allow me to sail through the treatment stressfree and then really have time to think about what I want to do..lets face it we have no time to think about what to wear these days let alone things as huge as this! Please share your thoughts with me..rather stuck in a rut..but scared to move Becky B

july ann · Post by **july ann** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 6:10 pm

hi becky if you give up work you will not get your maternity pay.Is there any chance they will let you go part time for a few month's. start looking for a partime job i think you will need something to take your mind of things. i gave up my full time job 3 year's ago and it is great but i still need to do some work.... sorry i have not been much help but it could work for you and then you can stuff work.. all the best in what ever you decide july ann

Lynned · Post by **Lynned** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 6:15 pm

Hi Becky, Just wanted to say that I have been in a very fortunate position in that I have been able to take a couple of months of work to get through our first IVF and it has been absolute bliss, life and ivf/icsi is stressful enough without having to deal with work as well. I have found that I do miss having a structure to my day but maybe you could take up some part time work a few hours a week. Down side is that you have more time to think about things but my dh says I am a totally different person, lets hope it does not all fade away when I go back in couple of weeks (on 1st week of 2ww) I have considered giving it up totally but the only thing that is stopping me is the money, maybe consider it next year. Good luck with you next treatment and what ever you decide. Love Lynne

lou f · Post by **lou f** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 6:24 pm

Hi Becky havn't posted very much on here recently, never know anyone ! On day 8 off 2ww with iui, i was full time when i started my tmt back in may they were really good about it never felt under pressure well at 1st anyway, after the 1st - i was fairly low so spoke to them and went part time only 24 hrs which was fab untill my tmt started to interfere with the 24 hours i felt under pressure then, so after talking to my nurse about my fears of lots more -'s i decided to leave, they were really good about it well atleast to my face anyway. I have been off this whole month's tmt and i do feel so much better alot more relaxed and feel i am not under any pressure anymore. The boredom hasn't set in yet with the nice weather and always having worked in the past it is a nice change to honest.The money is an issue but i have to feel that i have put my all into the tmt this time. Cant say wether it will work better for u or not but from my point of view i feel like it is exactly what i needed. Sorry to ramble but just wanted to let u know my saga !!! Am sure u will make the right decision fo r u and your dh. lol Lou xx

Nicky Dean · Post by **Nicky Dean** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 9:42 pm

Hi Becky I have been lucky to go part time at work and have been doing this since january, I work evenings 4on 4off, its great because I get the days to myself and go into work when its nice and quiet. I work in a call centre and use to work full time in the day and it was madness, so the opportunity came and I took it, thought it would be usefull when I start my treatment, which is hopefully soon. Work do know about IVF and have been OK about it. I think you still need to work as the more time you have, you spend it thinking about how things are going, which isnt always a good idea, my husband has noticed a change in me as I am worrying about it more. But I would say to you go part time, because really you need to start getting the rest and save all your energy for treatment and all the other stresses that goes with this rollercoaster. Take care and good luck in whatever you decide Nicky xx

Karen W · Post by **Karen W** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 10:33 am

Hi Becky, I too have been working part-time for the last 18 months (until made redundant!) I told my previous work about IVF and they let me change my days to fit in scans. I took annual leave 1 week following each EC (Have had 4 so far) and still had enough time to take a weeks hols in Tenerife. I only had 3 days sick relating to IVF the whole time I was there. Having been made redundant, and been lucky enough to find a new part time job, it means that I have a pretty good sick record to go to my new firm, and when/if I have to go through other cycles I can show them that I haven't had to take a lot of time off. I have found my stress levels greatly reduced. I was able to fit in my appointments and working did take my mind off things as well. If your bank balance can take it I would recommend the part-time option. Good luck whatever you decide

SJ BROWN · Post by **SJ BROWN** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:36 am

Hi Becky, It seems you posted twice. I have replied on other thread Sarah xx

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 1:40 pm

Hi Becky I felt really strongly that I did not want to work through my last IVF cycle - I just wanted to say I did everything possible to give myself the best chance. I talked it over with my GP a couple of months before and she was happy to sign me off work. I also gave my boss lots of notice we agreed the best possible timing, and I even found a replacement for myself! I am glad from a stress point of view that I had the time off - in general the cycle was less stressful and I felt less pressure as I knew I didn't have to maintain the high level of performance needed at work at the very time when I had little energy or concentration. The down side is the lack of daily structure and loss of social contact. I am still off work now - as I have been struggling a bit since the cycle failed - in a way I wish I had worked like I did before - there are days when I feel cut off - but my heart knows it was the right thing for me - I just need to get back there now! Whatever you deceide is right for you I wish you luck. It seems from all these replies you may have several options, part time, new job, giving up work altogether, being signed off sick, or a leave of absence. Enough to think about anyway! Best Wishes Lorraine xxxxx

caz1 · Post by **caz1** » Tue Aug 19, 2003 4:59 pm

HI Becky I have just taken several weeks off from work - and its been bloody brilliant, not bored at all. And I guess the minute you get bored you just get on the phone and find yourself something to do/ a job whatever. I think it depends on how much you like/ value your job and how difficult it would be to get back into it and I guess also how you dh feels about it. I think time out is bascially a VERY good think, whether or not its for IVF reasons. PS - did you see I replied to your msg for me which you set a few weeks ago - its near the bottom of the msg page "msg for caz" - its re the donor thing. take care cazx

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