Someone asked the question in one of her post about working through IVF. I thought it was a good question and I would also like to know how everyone is dealing with the work situation.
Most of my appointments are in the mornings so it works out. But last month between egg retrieval, transfer, and BETA (didn't want to get "the call" at work)...I think I took off about 4 days. I haven't really told anyone at work b/c I get way too emotional. Don't know what I'll do about taking so many days off for my next cycle. It's getting pretty hard.
Work and IVF...How Do You Deal
I teach and I took a lot of days off for my last cycle. It didn't help that we lived over an hour from the office and they kept stupid hours (9-4 ONLY) so we always had to take off if we had an appointment.
It's part of the problem that we're going to have if this cycle doesn't work out. I'm out of favors and sick days at school!
So, to answer your question, I'm not dealing with work well.
It's part of the problem that we're going to have if this cycle doesn't work out. I'm out of favors and sick days at school!
So, to answer your question, I'm not dealing with work well.
Hi Xo'Phoeah,
I know exactly how you feel about work...I think I only have 2 sick days left and that's not enough for next cycle. I'm trying not to stress about it and just hoping that my retrieval or transfer falls on a weekend next time...but, who knows.
I also work in the schools...I'm a therapist. I'm having trouble concentrating and dealing with the children.
I hope all of your dreams come true this time...and I guess we just have to deal with the work thing for now...
I know exactly how you feel about work...I think I only have 2 sick days left and that's not enough for next cycle. I'm trying not to stress about it and just hoping that my retrieval or transfer falls on a weekend next time...but, who knows.
I also work in the schools...I'm a therapist. I'm having trouble concentrating and dealing with the children.
I hope all of your dreams come true this time...and I guess we just have to deal with the work thing for now...
I also think this is very difficult. On my last cycle I took some additional time off after ET, b/c on my previous failed cycle, I was just so stressed out at work. I really think stress plays a small part in this.
I just wanted to let you know that I agree, it is so hard!
GL,
Kim
I just wanted to let you know that I agree, it is so hard!
GL,
Kim
FET July 30th transferred 4 embies.
beta 8/11 (12dp3dt) 332
beta #2: 8/13: (14dp3dt) 888
beta #3 8/17: (19dp3dt) 11,124
1st u/s: 8/27 6wks 3 dys.. TWINS!!
beta 8/11 (12dp3dt) 332
beta #2: 8/13: (14dp3dt) 888
beta #3 8/17: (19dp3dt) 11,124
1st u/s: 8/27 6wks 3 dys.. TWINS!!
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tortillachip
- Regular
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:31 pm
- Location: Stevenson Ranch, CA
Hi all,
It was hard for me too taking off days and trying to come up with excuses...so I didn't. I told my clients what I was going through and they were all really supportive. It was easier, because I have my own business, but I still feel guilty from time to time. I think my IVF #2 will be harder for me taking all the time off, when I know my clients really depend on me too. In the long run though, isn't it worth it?
It was hard for me too taking off days and trying to come up with excuses...so I didn't. I told my clients what I was going through and they were all really supportive. It was easier, because I have my own business, but I still feel guilty from time to time. I think my IVF #2 will be harder for me taking all the time off, when I know my clients really depend on me too. In the long run though, isn't it worth it?
ME: 41, hydrosalpinx
HUBBY: 39, Perfect!
IVF 1 & 2 BFN
IVF 3 July 2009 BFP! BETA 1: 207 2: 376 3: 932
IVF 4 & 5 July, Sept 2012 BFN
HUBBY: 39, Perfect!
IVF 1 & 2 BFN
IVF 3 July 2009 BFP! BETA 1: 207 2: 376 3: 932
IVF 4 & 5 July, Sept 2012 BFN
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dancingirl76
- Member
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa
Infertility is a medical problem just like anything else and should be given the same attention as someone who has a chronic disease. It seems a lot of people don't look at it that way because you don't HAVE to have kids, it's not life threatening, and besides if you just try long enough it will happen, right? Yeah- sure...why didn't I think of that??? But what about people who have a bad back and have surgery/appts (they could live with the pain), or carpal tunnel (not gonna kill you)- but they would get time off from work if they had appts or surgeries.
Discuss with your employer what kind of options you have. I had three fresh cycles last year plus one that was cancelled; and I just had my 4th round with a FET of 3 yesterday. I was able to have an agreement to (at my discretion) work longer the rest of the week to make up time so I could hang on to some of my vac/pers days. Also, once I was out of time off I was allowed to take time off unpaid under FMLA. I just had to make sure I brought dr excuses for every appt and any days I was to be on bedrest, etc. It was a bit of a financial hardship to take unpaid time off... but it made sense because if I had waited until my time off reset, my insurance deductible and out of pocket maxs would have reset too and it would have actually cost me more.
So, just ask your employer... at least then you know where you stand. I told mine I didn't want any special treatment, just what was fair that would be done for anyone else that was having a medical situation. I doubt there are many employers out there (unless very small) that will say no... they would be afraid of someone yelling discrimination more than anything probably.
Also, if you are affraid of everyone knowing your business, that's ok too. Pretty much everyone at my work knew what was going on through all my past cycles, but after my 3rd cycle I became pregnant with twins, and lost both to miscarriages. It was a lot to go through so this time I didn't want many to know I was trying again. Your employer has to honor your privacy, so if you say you don't want people to know... they can't tell.
Don't put your life on hold any more than it has to be. Remember, we have the rest of our lives to work... but only a short time to take advantage of having a child.
Discuss with your employer what kind of options you have. I had three fresh cycles last year plus one that was cancelled; and I just had my 4th round with a FET of 3 yesterday. I was able to have an agreement to (at my discretion) work longer the rest of the week to make up time so I could hang on to some of my vac/pers days. Also, once I was out of time off I was allowed to take time off unpaid under FMLA. I just had to make sure I brought dr excuses for every appt and any days I was to be on bedrest, etc. It was a bit of a financial hardship to take unpaid time off... but it made sense because if I had waited until my time off reset, my insurance deductible and out of pocket maxs would have reset too and it would have actually cost me more.
So, just ask your employer... at least then you know where you stand. I told mine I didn't want any special treatment, just what was fair that would be done for anyone else that was having a medical situation. I doubt there are many employers out there (unless very small) that will say no... they would be afraid of someone yelling discrimination more than anything probably.
Also, if you are affraid of everyone knowing your business, that's ok too. Pretty much everyone at my work knew what was going on through all my past cycles, but after my 3rd cycle I became pregnant with twins, and lost both to miscarriages. It was a lot to go through so this time I didn't want many to know I was trying again. Your employer has to honor your privacy, so if you say you don't want people to know... they can't tell.
Don't put your life on hold any more than it has to be. Remember, we have the rest of our lives to work... but only a short time to take advantage of having a child.