Working or not when the embryo is replaced back

[kvarnis]

Hi,
I heard, that once the embryo is replaced back into the womens body, any stress for the next coming 2 weeks should be avoided.
Some countries recommend to woman to stay home "being sick". Other countries tell " to take it easy - and to avoid stress".
I was wondering if anybody working fulltime has the possibilty to avoid stress? How does this work?

I am a 32 year old woman, start the first IVF within the next weeks and wonder, what to do, when coming to the point of the replacment of the empryo. Taking 2 weeks off?

Has anybody some advice or knows a study, what to do?

[DebraP]

Hi, I've posted a reply on the other board.

Debra.

[victoria82]

hi kvarnis

they do say to take thing easy but can resume a normal life. when i am going to have my ET i am going to be taking the two weeks off as i work as a social worker and my work is very demanding. i dont want anything to spoil my chance of getting pregnant.
take care luv#victoria

[AMITHIS]

kvarnis,

My clinic says going back to work is okay as long as you aren't lifting anything heavy or doing anything very physical. If you have a desk job, it should be ok as far as that part of things goes. As far as stress, ideally I guess it couldn't hurt to avoid extremely stressful situations. Is your job very stressful? If so, but it is difficult for you to take too much time off, then I would suggest just taking a week off. By then, the embryos should have either implanted or not and I don't think there is much you could do to influence things one way or the other.

When I did my first IVF, I was fortunate enough not to be working at the time but, if I had been, I think I would have needed a few days before the EC off as well as some time after the EC as I was very uncomfortable. I think I would have felt up to going back into work several days after ET.

Staci

[Lisa O'Sullivan]

Nothing can really prepare you for your first attempt at IVF and especially the dreaded 2 week waiting period following ET.

I think it all depends on the number of people who you have made aware that you are undergoing the treatment.

I made the mistake of telling most people whom I saw on a regular basis including my two bosses. I had the FET on the Thursday and returned to work the following Monday opting to take just one week off when we went to get the results. Although my job is extremely busy I didn't see it as being stressful and I thought as my bosses were aware of the situation I thought they would ease up a little. I was so wrong.

That week was the worst week ever and my bosses made it worse by repremanding me for something trivial. I will never forgive them and am convinced that that day was the beginning of the end for my pregancy chances.

We are now proceeding with our 2nd attempt at IVF using FET and have decided to keep it quiet, not even telling my mum. This way we will not have the added pressure of keeping people informed.

I hope my advice helps and I wish you all the luck with the treatment.

Lisa (England)

[Toni]

Hi

after I had EC i was told that my ovaries were so enlarged (i was close to hyper-stimulation) that there was no way i would be able to go back to work in anything under 2 weeks.......
this shocked me as i was expcting to go back in a few days (i had the Ec on a tuesday). the clinic gave me a sick note signing me off. In hindsight there is no way i would have been able to go back i felt so rough that week and had ET only 2 days later, plus im not sure in the last few days whether i would have been able to concentrate. I rested so much and drank planty of water, and I'm glad I did.

but a lot of women on this board do go back straight away, i belive. i think you should listen to your clinic, they will know what is best for you, and also your own body. you might handle the treatment really well and feel generally ok (as ok as we CAN feel on the 2WW). i found telling my boss at work helped a little, she was the only one who really knew why i was going into 'hospital' and was mostly supportive.........I did do some work from home too.

Anyway - i have rambled on for long enough, but whatever you decide i wish you all the luck in the world and hope it works out for you.

Toni xx

[Lisa O'Sullivan]

Congratulations Toni !!!!!!

Maybe it has something to do with both my bosses being male and them relying on me so much in the office.

I almost saw the relief on their faces when I broke the news that the IVF did not work! I hate to say that but its true.

Initially I opted to go into work for a week following ET as like you I took 2 week SSP after egg collection but only took one with a view to taking the other week during week 2 of ET. Time-off for me is really difficult as I run the office besides what harm could I do sitting at a desk all day!!!!

Things are much more relaxed this time and at least I don't have to brief family and friends on a daily basis with our progress.

TWINS wow thats brilliant, take it easy and look after yourself I wish you loads of luck.

Lisa (Cheshire)x

[Sand]

Hi Kvarnis

My job's pretty stressful, therefore I decided to take time off work during the last 2ww.

However, as it turned out on both my 1st and 2nd cycles, I couldn't have gone back to work in the first week even if I'd wanted to. I could hardly straighten myself up, had cramps/bloating and had difficulty walking for about 6 days.

Everyone's different, so this won't necessarily happen to you - but if it does, don't worry.

Sandra x

[Toni]

Hi Lisa

And thanks!! I hate to say it but we are no way near out of the woods just yet - only 11 weeks - keeping my fingers crossed as the last couple of weeks have had a couple of problems. Its hard not to get carried away at times tho im trying to stay a realist.............

I just wanted to say that im sorry your bosses were so horrible. imagine looking relieved when someone tells them their dream has failed this time round................its the last thing you need.......oooh i would have been so angry.....

good luck for your next cycle - i really hope it works out for you!

sorry to hi-jack your thread Kvarnis - my advice to you stands as before with one more thing....listen to the nice people on this board!!

love and kisses

Toni xx

[Alette]

I try to be free on the day of the ET.

I have a lovely boss who believes that children and trying to get children is more important than work.

I have a busy job though and an own office so I myself do not want to be absent too.

Worked all through the 4 (failed) ivf's. Only took off on the EC and ET.

Do what YOU feel is okay, and how You feel!

[kvarnis]

All,

thank you all so much for your advices. I guess, I will see, how I feel and decide accordingly.
It is great to have a forum to discuss this questions.
First of all, I don't want to discuss this with all my friends, otherwise I will need to keep them updated, even if I don't feel like.
Secondly, I don't want to call the clinic for every single question.

It is amazing, how many woman have the same thoughts, trying to become pregnant this way.

I keep my fingers crossed for all of you. Good luck and hope you will become pregnant soon.

Kvarnis

[Claire]

This is something I've thought long and hard about.
I feel guilty taking time of work because we are only a small team and someone being off really takes its toll on the rest of the staff.
BUT - i've waited so long for this and there is no way anything is going to hamper my chances of this working and therefore I've opted to take time out from the day I start the stimms (which is tomorrow!) until I know whether it has worked or not.
And I'm taking it sick.
Fortunately I get sick pay and my GP says there will be no problems in signing me off. ihave a very stressful job and there would be no way I could do lighter duties through the tmt.
I live a fair way from the hospital and it would mean mornings off work for daily tests etc, so I would only be able to work afternoons anyway.
And then they'd expect me to cram a week's work in two and a half days.
Well I'm not doing that and I'm going to take time out to look after myself.
Do I sound like I'm trying to convince myself? I am a bit, but I have to think of myself.
I think it depends on individual circumstances, but everyone should do what they feel comfortable with.
claire x

[delly]

Hi all,

We are having our first appointment with consultant on 8/02, so we'll start treatment pretty soon...
My bosses have knowned about my condition for a year and i accumilated 4 weeks time in lieu so when time comes to start injections...etc i'll take the whole of the time off work.
My job is stressfull and very demanding so i am not taking any chances of having to deal with too many problems at once, relaxation is the solution for me.
good luck to all of us....
Delly

[Jules R]

Hi Girls!

Just to say that I went straight back to work after ET and worked throughout the 2WW and our first ICSI cycle was doubly successful. I'm an infant school teacher so don't exactly have a stress-free, restful sit-down type of job. In fact the 2WW coincided with the last two weeks of the summer term and so was one of the busiest times of the year and included a very energetic Sports Day. But for me personally I couldn't sit at home and wait for those 14 days to be over - it would have driven me mad. When we have our next ICSI cycle I shall do exactly the same, except that I'll also have two boisterous toddlers to look after so rest isn't really much of a possibility anyway.

Good luck to all of you about to go through treatment.

Jules