NEW - 1st IVF - Need your advice!

[alynette]

Hi! I am new to all this and SO glad to have joined you ladies in this chat!
I need your help and support!!

This is my first IVF. I had my 2nd scan yesterday. Follicules not big enough so I have to continue Puregon injections and sniffing until Friday 20th for 3rd scan. Hopefully egg collection and transfer will be done next week....

How much time off work do you think I need to take for the collection and after the transfer?

Have you told your work, your boss, your colleagues? This stresses me out because I don't want them to know but I know they will ask if I suddenly need a week off next week.

I need your advice!

Thank you!

Alyne

[PebblesUK]

Hi Alyne

Welcome to the site, you've come to a great place for help, advice and so much support.

On the General Board there is a thread called October Buddies, this is full of ladies who are going through treatment this month, you will get tuns of support on there!

With regard to time off etc. Everyone is different, after EC I was really bloated, suffered with constipation and was very uncomfortable. I'm lucky as I don't work but think I may have found it hard if I did. But saying that, it may be better (psychologically) if you took some time off after ET.

After ET again everyone is different and you will find on here that every clinic offers different advice. Some of the clinics in the States recommend two weeks bed rest whereas my clinic didn't recommend any. There's a thread on this board called "Important please read" I think, this is some great information with regard to this period. I would definately take the first two days off though.

Does your job give you a lot of stress? If the answer is yes then I would definately take the two weeks off. Stress isn't good for growing embryos.

If you need the time off then I wouldn't worry. Your boss/collegaues do not need to know, you can just go to your doctor and ask him to sign you off. He doesn't have to put why exactly, he could just bend the truth!

Best of luck to you. Let us know how you get on.

Jo
xx

[alynette]

Thank you Jo! I had a look at the threads you told me about and found them quite helpful!

[bonniedoo]

I only took one day off for the ET and a 1/2 day for the transfer. I developed OHSS later on and was umcomfortable but it was still better for me to go to work. I really didin't miss much time at all. I guess it depends on your job. Most of the appts are pretty quick and they say it is good for you to move around after the transfer (my clinic does). On the ET you may want to rest but really i was fine. bonniedoo

[bekkie31]

Hi there - I started my 1st IVF this month too. Egg collection was this morining and I am suffering like JO did - constipation and feeling very uncomfortable. I have been written off sick since last Friday (13th October ) and will actually be off sick until 27th October. After that my holiday starts!!! My work involves very early rising (3.00am ), cycling to the station in the morning (17 mins each way ) and lots of stress - particularly at the moment it is an exceptionally busy time. I decided it was best for me and I try not to even think about what people at work think - for a start it is none of their business, it is also my life! if they do not like it - quite frankly it ios tough!! At least if the IVF fails this time around I will not have to think of blaming myself by thinking I did not take enough rest. If it fails this time it has to be down to another reason - maybe egg or sperm quality and problems with the Uterus and hormones or something!!

Dont worry and I wish you heaps of luck!! Bekki

[jstrandlund]

Alynette
I had my egg collection on Monday of this week and was uncomfortable the rest of Monday and Tuesday but today there is just twinges of pain. As far as time off work I have been very fortunate that I explained what I was going to through to my supervisor and found that she was very supportive. I take time off as I need it or I can work from home if I am more comfortable there. For me being off work would be more stressful because I would obsess and worry too much. For me being able to work when I feel healthy and go home when I don't has been great. I realize that no everyone has this option but it may be worth talking to your boss.