- Undergoing IVF or fertility treatments and working when you have a busy job can be a challenge.
- For many women and couples, the fertility journey includes both decisions about treatment as well as adjustments in the work schedule. Also, the medical appointments, side effects from treatment, and the emotional journey with infertility.
Whether you are having IVF treatment, other fertility treatment, or tests, we know how hard it can be to keep everything in balance. Work, appointments, procedures, medication, etc. IVF can require you to attend several appointments, have blood tests, scans, and treatment cycles; you may need to be flexible.
Consider being aware of these issues and know how to prevent them, to make the experience as “easy” as possible.
Why IVF Can Be Difficult to Manage With Work
IVF is more than just a one-off trip to the hospital. An IVF cycle can involve many appointments to a fertility clinic, monitoring scans, blood tests, and consultations with fertility specialists.
Hormone medication (during ovarian stimulation) stimulates the ovaries, which develop several eggs.
The women will have to be seen for tests to check hormone levels and follicle size (over a period of time).
For somebody with a job on top of these appointments, it may cause problems with lunch dates, job deadlines, and meetings.
Some may only last a few hours, but the frequency could make a problem with scheduling. This could be especially true if appointments are booked at very short notice.
The Workplace Challenges During IVF
1. Managing Multiple Medical Appointments
Among the most common problems encountered was fitting in all the IVF appointments around a hectic work schedule.
You may have to schedule several monitoring appointments during your IVF cycle, with some waiting times based on your treatment plan. Following egg collection and embryo transfer, further time at the fertility clinic is necessary.
Certain patients require follow-up appointments or a pregnancy test following embryo transfer.
It’s hard to fit your working week around treatments that vary in time given how your body reacts to a treatment.
2. Dealing With IVF Medication Side Effects
Hormonal medication can have different effects on different people. Some get tired and bloated, have their periods more often, headaches, or mood swings.
Easy to cut out work when there is physical discomfort.
Usually after egg collection, which in most of the clinics is performed under sedation or anaesthesia, based on the procedure and clinic, patients may require some recovery period.
In the end. Allowing workers to work remotely or just get off for a few hours can be incredibly helpful.
3. Keeping Your Fertility Journey Private
Some people prefer to keep their fertility experience private and do not wish to discuss it in the work setting.
Fertility treatment can often be quite a sensitive issue, and some individuals might wish to keep the process private until such time they are ready to talk about it.
You have the right to, in a minimally informative way, not go into detail as to what your medical appointments are about and how long you will be away. You may just need to say, “I am having a medical appointment during this time and will be away”.
Talking to a trusted line manager or HR business partner can be a little easier if you require standard flexibility.
Should You Tell Your Employer About IVF?
There is no straightforward answer.
Some find that being open about fertility treatment allows them to ask for flexible working arrangements, whereas others would rather keep this information private.
If you inform your employer, you can provide as little information as you consider appropriate.
Mention that you are having medical treatment, which might involve two or more appointments. But you will never mention infertility or IVF personal information.
Having support at work was very helpful in managing work and treatment.
Understanding Fertility Benefits at Work
If you haven’t started treatment yet. See if your employer has fertility benefits.
According to the organization and location, some benefits include financial aid for fertility treatment, insurance coverage, paid medical leave, or a flexible working schedule.
Even fertility benefits that seem narrow in scope may be useful as an additional benefit if employed together with annual leave or other paid time off.
Another area you may wish to explore is your employer’s policies on taking time off for medical appointments, sick leave, leave, and flexible working.
When in doubt, obtain advice from a specialist employment-law expert or HR.
IVF, Sick Leave and Pregnancy Rights
There may be a different approach to treatment and pregnancy.
For instance, the requirements for qualifying for sick leave, medical leave, maternity leave, and workplace protections for women who are pregnant can differ.
In some places, there are laws regulating pregnancy that come into effect once a person is pregnant, but fertility care is covered by other policies in the workplace.
Also, rights to pregnancy and occupation are equally applicable post-pregnancy, not throughout the fertility treatment process.
Since labor laws are country-specific and may evolve, make sure to verify the relevant applicable rules to where you work instead of using the general information found on the web.
Practical Strategies for Balancing Work and IVF
Plan Around Your Treatment
As soon as your fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist proposes a tentative course of action, consider your future working engagements.
Whenever feasible, do not plan other time-consuming activities such as a big presentation, business trip, or deadline when preparing for procedures like egg retrieval and embryo transfer.
But keep in mind that the IVF timing may vary based on how you react to the drugs and levels of hormones.
Speak With Your Line Manager
If appropriate, talk to your line manager about how things could be practically reorganised.
You might request:
Alterable start and end times, putting work in at any hour, and the ability to spread the workload out. Log on 24 hours a day and, when there’s spare time, work on the computer.
- Options to work remotely.
- Breaks for medical appointments
- Decelerated pace of treatment
- The state of being able to ‘save up’ paid hours.
- Temporary changes to your workload.
You are not required to reveal any more personal details than are essential.
Use Annual Leave Strategically
Some individuals opt to blend booked time off and medical leave during Egg Collection or embryo transfer.
Going a day without working would allow a rest period between the procedure and work.
But the recovery period is not the same for everyone, and no two procedures are the same.
Prepare for Unpredictable Timing
One of the major problems with IVF is that you cannot plan your schedule weeks.
Appointments are also subject to change according to how the follicle develops, when you ovulate, and the levels of the hormones. Embryo transfer date is also subject to change based on the development of the embryos.
Having some flexibility in your work schedule can also be advantageous.
Don’t Ignore the Emotional Toll
Emotional aspects of having fertility treatment are just as important.
The uncertainty about infertility, the stress of paying for treatment, and risking an unsuccessful treatment can result in stress and anxiety.
It can be very hard when you are trying to do this while you are having a failed cycle.
Many women and couples seek extra support from readings, trusted friends and family, or support groups where they can relate with others who are experiencing a similar experience.
Doing a bit of a tea break doesn’t mean you’re abandoning your work. Ensuring your emotional health and your general health are looked after can help you survive a stressful time.
What About Work After Embryo Transfer?
Following the embryo transfer, many individuals are able to go back to their daily schedule, given their doctor’s suggestions and their occupation.
You do not usually need to be completely bedridden just because your embryo has been transferred. Your fertility specialist may give you additional instructions given your circumstances.
If you have regular heavy work or are traveling over a long distance, for example, you may want to ask your doctor to advise whether this is advisable.
Creating a Healthier Work-Life Balance During IVF
Managing work and IVF does not involve a perfect performance across all areas of life.
Can you be flexible in your expectations by passing on some work and seeking help?
No matter what fertility treatments you are using, looking into options for a second opinion or moving on to the next step after a failed cycle is a vital part of your family-building process.
Practical support in the workplace can be a huge help to many couples struggling to conceive.
A small amount of time off on the employee’s part, understanding from colleagues, and some realistic planning can make a real difference in coping with fertility treatment.
Most importantly, never feel that receiving help makes you less committed to your career. With the right approach, support from work, and the right medical advice, you can complete this IVF and still preserve your health, career, relationships, and yourself.
