Navigating fertility treatments while juggling a full-time job can feel overwhelming. If you’re a working woman contemplating IVF, you may be wondering, “How will I manage all the appointments?” You’re not alone in feeling anxious about the process, but we’re here to help ease those concerns. In this post, we’ll outline the typical timeline for IVF treatment, the number of appointments you’ll need, and how to integrate it into your busy schedule.
Once your doctor recommends IVF, you might be curious about how often you’ll need to take time off work and what you should communicate to your employer. There are different protocols for IVF, but most commonly, the long cycle lasts about 7 weeks, starting from the first day of your period to the egg collection day.
As Sarah mentioned, “Many people manage to carry on their working life and day-to-day activities alongside IVF treatment. The best plan is to try to keep things as normal as possible.” Before you begin, you and your partner will attend a pre-treatment appointment where you’ll sign consent forms and receive an overview of the medications. Blood tests for both partners typically occur during this appointment, which lasts about an hour and a half. This meeting is best scheduled about a week before your treatment begins, and after this, your partner won’t need to attend again until the egg collection day.
On the first day of your period, you should contact the clinic to arrange your treatment appointments. At TFP, we have a patient portal that allows you to check your schedule and medication details easily on your phone or device. For the first three weeks, you won’t need to visit the clinic often—just a daily contraceptive pill, and then in week three, if you choose, you may have an endometrial scratch. This quick procedure, similar to a smear test, can help prepare your uterus for embryo implantation.
Then, you’ll start your morning injections, which are simple and can be administered in your abdomen. You’ll take these daily for two weeks, coinciding with a period-like bleed. After week five, you’ll have a quick scan at the clinic to check your womb lining and ovaries. If everything looks good, you’ll begin evening injections in addition to your morning ones.
During weeks six and seven, you will have to come in for scans to monitor follicle development. These visits are brief—around 10 minutes—and can often be scheduled early in the morning, so many women manage to go to work right after. While some may experience mild side effects, most continue their regular activities without interruption.
The egg collection at the end of week seven will require a day off work since it’s done under sedation, ensuring you feel no discomfort. You’ll be able to go home a few hours later, and some choose to take another day off, while others return to work immediately. The embryo transfer takes place on day three or five after the egg collection, depending on how the embryos develop. This procedure is straightforward and similar to a smear test, and there’s no need for medication during the process. You might want to take it easy afterward but can usually return to work, avoiding heavy lifting and intense exercise.
Many women successfully manage their careers along with IVF treatment. Trying to maintain your routine can be beneficial. If you have work-related travel or short trips planned, you can still continue your treatment; just take your medication along, and we can provide a letter to assist with any customs requirements.
If you’re embarking on your journey to parenthood in the near future, remember that support is just a call away. We host two open evenings each month, and if you prefer a more personalized discussion, we offer free one-on-one consultations with our fertility experts who can tailor advice to your specific situation.
For more insights, this blog post on understanding your pelvic floor after pregnancy and birth is worth checking out. Additionally, if you’re interested in at-home options, the artificial insemination kit from Make a Mom could be a great resource. For further information on intrauterine insemination (IUI), be sure to visit the NHS’s excellent resource.
In summary, while managing IVF treatment and a full-time job can be challenging, it is certainly doable. By staying organized and maintaining communication with your employer, you can navigate this journey more smoothly.