Question about IVF and WORK

[icsipixie]

Hello all!
I am closing my business because business does not work well with Baby.. I am interviewing for a new job now and getting ready to start IVF at the end of June. Does anyone know how a good way to work around the crazy shot schedule with the clinic (not the home shots) and a brand new job. If you were me would you wait to start the IVF cycle until I get a job.. doesn't seem like what I want to do. but want to make sure I think it all through!
thanks!

[shantala]

hi icsi

when i did my first cycle of ivf i was lucky enough that my employer knew about it and was very flexible. however, this second time round i have started a new job (i started 8 weeks ago) and there is no possible way i can tell my boss. i dont think it will be a problem. i plan to take annual leave for my scans (half day) and plan to take the week of egg collection and transfer off as sick. i will say that i have a minor procedure (gynaecological) - i will say that its nothing to worry about but that i dont want to talk about it as it's personal. which isnt telling a lie at all. i will also book one day's annual leave for the day i test (if its positive i will want to tell many people and enjoy the day, if its negative i will not want to go to work).

so my opinion is you can start a new job if you want to. is this your first ivf?? if so, you may want to wait as you will probably feel more anxious (i certainly did about my first cycle) so the work situation may just add to your stress. i dont know. for me, and partly coz i know whats to come, i think i'll be fine working.

hope that helps.

xx

[shantala]

hi

sorry, just saw in your signature that its your first cycle. the other thing i forgot to say is that nobody knows how you will react to drugs. if you find yourself very uncomfortable or very moody or very tearful or whatever it may be harder to keep having time off in a new job. it also depends what kind of work it is.

xx

[kholtan]

Guess it all depends on what kind of work you do. I own my own business here and couldn't imagine trying to do IVF working for anyone else. I was able to work around my appointments and take what ever time I wanted off. There is a ton of work involved in playing catch up but it has been great for me to be my own boss.

Best of luck to you with whatever you do!
Kimberly

[tracyrae]

icsipixie

I too started a new job and just finished my transfer on 6-9-07. My boss knew and I took 1 week off of work. Unfortunately, my RE pushed up my 36hr. grow/stim/shot because my eggs weren't the size they wanted. So that pushed my egg retrieval day forward and so forth. After all this I planned to take one day off for the egg retrieval and return the next- did not happen! Had my egg transfer (3 day) and had to call out of work again the following day after due to low grade temp and abdominal discomfort. So in total I've missed 11 days instead of the 7 that I planned for. But it is different for everyone. Some have minor cramps and are back to work the next day. I hope you have the easier road! Good Luck!

[icsipixie]

Was your boss understanding? When you started your new job did you tell them that you were going through IVF? Are you in the United States? I am just worried to even tell them I am going through this, Plus, I am just trying to get a job for a year while I am pregnant and then take off for the first couple of years of being a mom...

[kbat]

I am in the same situation. The past couple of years, I had been doing a seasonal job, where I worked about 4 months of the year. It allowed me to do both--work and do these treatments. However, this past year there were cut backs and I did not get hired back (it's a state job). So, I am kind of in the same dilema as you are. I want to go back to work, and am considering part-time for the time being, but I don't want to let a potential employer about my situation--1) because it's personal & 2) because I don't want to "scare" them off. Before starting all of this, I worked for a place that gave out sick days, but then penalized people if they took them and said it was excessive absenteeism. Why give a benefit if you are going to get penalized for using it? I am afraid if I go back to work, the employer won't be understanding. It's been good not working while doing these treatments because it had allowed me to be more flexible w/ appointments shots, etc and I don't have to worry about taking time off. If this does work, I would stay at home w/ the kid(s). However, I am going a little stir crazy and would like to get out to work and to be w/ people. Also, I am worried that if I am not working and this doesn't work out, I will have to try to explain why I wasn't working for this time. (I've done 3 cycles of IVF since January, but I don't know if I will get approved for more.) Right now we can afford for me not to work--although the extra cash would definately come in handy. So, I guess if you can afford to do so, it's a nice option not to work. I am 40 years old, so if I am going to do it, this is the time for me to do it. I don't have the luxury to hold off much longer. So, in the end I guess the baby thing is more important in my life at this time. If I don't get approved for more, I will need to move on and get a job and hope that not working for a while will not hurt me when looking for a job.

It's definately something to comtemplate....Maybe you can try something part-time or seasonal until you get a feel for how it goes. Good luck w/ your treatments and whatever you decide to do.

[Still trying]

Hello ladies.

I have been in all situations as I have been through 7 ivf treatments.

The first few goes I did in a job I had just started and my boss ( a head teacher) was amazing, she was so supportive and that really helped.
The next few I was nannying and I didn't tell the parents as they were never very approachable and it was really hard to get time off. I found it really added to the stress. Then i left there and accepted a job as a nursery manager and did our last ivf while I wasn't working. I found it so much more relaxed but it was good to know I had a job waiting for me. As it didn't work the job has been great for taking my mind of it all.
However I now find myself in the same position. I start my job the first week of July and we start our treatment that Friday! I am not going to tell them and try and use my influence as the manager to use my day off a week for appointments and try to work a little flexible. I don't know how it will work out and I feel bad for not being upfront but it has taken 9 years so far, if I had told everyone in the past I may never have worked !

Do what feels right for you x