IVF and time off from work?

Hi Ladies,

I am prepping for my first IVF cycle (starting in two weeks) and am trying to figure out how much time I will need off from work. Since is the end of the year and I can't carry over unused days, DH and I want to take a few days off, but I am trying to figure out how many days I should reserve for my retrieval and transfer.

I know I will need to take off the day of the retrieval and the day of the transfer. Do I need to take more than one day for either?

If it helps, I am a patient of RSNY.

Thanks!

Message edited 11/11/2008 7:11:28 PM.

Re: IVF and time off from work?

Check with your RE in regards to retrieval/transfer. Some want you on bedrest for two days after either or both and some don't care.
As far as the other days, if you can go into work late or get to the RE early enough that you won't be late, you don't have to lose any other days. If lateness is an issue then you may have a problem because you will be getting monitored almost every day for the last few days.

Re: IVF and time off from work?

First...good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm starting my meds on thursday, and my dr said I should take off from work on the day of retrieval, and should be fine to return the next day. she said it's ok to go to work the day of the transfer.

Re: IVF and time off from work?

Re: IVF and time off from work?

You are definitely lucky that your boss went through this. As for me, I just take ER and ET off. If you're really lucky, you'll get one of those on the weekend!

Re: IVF and time off from work?

It really depends on how you feel. I was very bloated before retrieval and a few days after. Everyone is different but I would take as many days as your job allows. Best of luck!

Re: IVF and time off from work?

Last time I took off 1 day for my retrieval and 3 days for my transfer - 1 for the day of and 2 days after to rest. Honestly I kinda felt like the 2 days afterwards were too much....1 day would have been fine.

This next time I plan on doing the same bc I don't want to push anything..but I think this time around may involve weekends. So I would say anywhere from 2 - 4 days total.

Message edited 11/11/2008 7:57:57 PM.

Re: IVF and time off from work?

Thanks everybody!

Re: IVF and time off from work?

today is my ER and i took off today and plan to go back to work tomorrow ( i hope i feel up to it) and if my transfer is monday im taking monday and tuesday off and go back weds. best of luck to you!!

Re: IVF and time off from work?

It does depend on the practice. I am currently at NSUH & was told to be prepared for the day of the ER off & then once the transfer is done, expect to be home 3 days (including the ET day).

Right now I am set for my ER & ET the week of Thanksgiving & we took vacation that week.

Re: IVF and time off from work?

I definitely needed the day of and after retrieval - I was bloated, crampy and uncomfortable, though if I had to, I could have worked the day after, but I have an awesome boss who let me work from home.

For the transfer, I rested for 2 days, but even I can say it was overkill. I was going out of my mind by the end of the night, just laying around in bed, after the transfer.

Re: IVF and time off from work?

I had no idea you were moving on to IVF! Good luck!!!!

I usually only take one day for the retrieval and one for the transfer but, the cycle I did in January, my retrieval was later in the afternoon and I needed to take the next day off too b/c I was tired and crampy.