Many tend to think that starting IVF means putting a complete stop on your work. IVF often happens during the peak of our careers, and it can be stressful when you feel pushed into choosing between the two. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose one over the other. With a bit of thoughtful planning, you can reach your career goals while giving your treatment the best chances of success. So, keeping that in mind, let us help you explore your options and make a simple plan for balancing IVF and work.
Can you still work while doing IVF?
Yes, most people work during IVF. But the catch is that you’ll need to add a bit of flexibility to your schedule. Sometimes, you may need a few days off to recover from egg collection. Other times, a half-day for embryo transfer will do the job. As such, your choice of IVF clinic in London will matter too. A clinic with flexible appointment times or one close to your workplace can make things much easier to manage.
More importantly, there are a few challenges you need to consider while adjusting things. For starters, IVF involves regular monitoring appointments, sometimes at short notice. For those curious about when these appointments will take place, it will all depend on your body’s response to all the medications. Then there are side effects to keep in mind, like mood changes, tiredness, or feeling sick, which can all make it harder to maintain focus. Although these things may seem a bit much at the moment, it can all become a cakewalk with a bit of planning and a few safeguards in place.
How should you talk to your employer about IVF?
The most important step for managing IVF and work is having an honest talk with your manager. This can feel scary, but remember, women undergoing IVF are now the norm. For those who don’t believe, around 77,000 IVF cycles were done in the UK in 2022 alone, so chances are your employer may have managed such a situation before. When you talk to them, be clear and as solution-oriented as you can. Explain in clear terms that you will be having a medical treatment that will require a flexible schedule, especially for appointments at short notice.
When asked about it, most employers are open to remote work. Not only can this remove your commute problems and daily transportation woes, but it will also provide a better environment when dealing with the side effects of IVF. As for safeguards, you can also prepare in advance by handing over some responsibilities, adjusting deadlines, or finding a colleague to cover for you during appointments. Throughout all this, just keep showing your commitment to your work. This will help reassure your employer that you can handle both your work and IVF.
What are your legal rights during IVF?
In the UK, though there aren’t laws specifically for IVF, there are rules that still protect you. For instance, IVF appointments should be treated like other medical appointments in their early stages. If you feel unwell from treatment and need sick leave, your company’s normal sick leave policy applies to your situation.
Then, once the embryo transfer happens, UK law counts you as pregnant, even before a test confirms it. This gives you the basic pregnancy rights like time off for medical visits and protection from unfair treatment. If the treatment doesn’t work out, you still have these protections for two more weeks to recover from what would undoubtedly be a tough time.
How can you stay productive during IVF?
IVF can be one of the most emotionally and physcially exhausting medical treatments that one can go through. Naturally, it can affect your ability to focus on work. As such, having personal strategies to manage stress can help you stay on track. For example, you could take short breaks during the day to clear your mind, try mindfulness exercises, or schedule your most demanding tasks for when you feel most energetic. Some people find that staying busy can also help distract them from all the treatment worries. Others need to slow down and rest more. All that is to say, throughout this treatment, listen to your body and figure out what works for you.
Planning for different outcomes
It’s natural to hope that a treatment like IVF will definitely lead to a pregnancy. But you need to plan for both the positive and negative outcomes here. Realistically, there is nothing that can guarantee a pregnancy, and even with treatments like IVF, it improves your chances of getting pregnant but can’t fully assure one. If it’s successful, you can move into pregnancy protections at work and start preparing for the eventual maternity leave. But if things go south, you will need some time to recover and decide what to do next. During this period, your previously established safeguards at work will help the most. For example, colleagues you’ve already asked to cover for you can step in here. Plus, if you’ve stayed in touch with your employer, they’ll probably understand if you need some personal time.
The bottom line
In the end, managing IVF while working can be easy with a mix of good planning, open communication, and flexibility on both sides. With the right approach, you can keep up at work while giving your treatment the best chance. Additionally, finding a good IVF clinic with a flexible appointment schedule can also help you bridge this gap between work and IVF. So before getting started, do your research, talk to the right people at work, find the best IVF clinics in your region and remember: Any minor changes to your work routine are really an investment in your career and your future happiness.
