Leave of absence for ivf? Thoughts?

jani7

Has anyone consider or actually taken a leave of absence from work during an ivf cycle? I actually only want to take leave after the transfer till I don't know like 8 weeks if it works.  I don't really think think it's neccessary for the beginning of the cycle.  Just since my last two transfers both ended sadly, I feel like I should do anything and everything that might be helpful.  My job can be somewhat stressful and I have quite a bit of leave saved up.  I'm not sure how many more times we will do this so I really want to do anything that might be helpful.  I actually don't want to leave my house from the transfer through my first trimester (i'm being overly dramatic) Thoughts on taking leave??

k-mart

I think you should do what you think is right. If you can take the leave for that long - take it. That is one thing my dr says - do whatever you want so you have no regrets or keep thinking "what if".

abbe19

If you have the time, I would absolutely do it. You have nothing to lose. Better to take care of yourself to the best of your ability. It is a major medical procedure. People take off for operations and treatments all the time. Do whatever is best for you.

jamielynnohio

I agree that if it's a possibility, I might do it, so later there were no what if feelings. GL with your decision!

njohnson1972

I agree with kmart.  I could never afford to do that with my company, but if your employer provides that as an option, why not?  I think 6 weeks after your beta (assuming a 2ww) is a long time though to not go back to work.  If it was negative, I wouldn't want to sit around my house by myself for that long.  But definitely having some down time to grieve would be great.

LnR70707

If it is an option, I would consider it.  Probably not for 8 weeks, but if I could take off from ER through beta (about 3 weeks) I would do it.

sweetky_06

I've considered it - and if there is a "next" IVF cycle for me, I will definitely take a leave from basically when I start stims until after my beta.

If it's what you feel is right for you and you can work it out with your employer, I say "Do it!" 

jani7

njohnson1972:

I agree with kmart.  I could never afford to do that with my company, but if your employer provides that as an option, why not?  I think 6 weeks after your beta (assuming a 2ww) is a long time though to not go back to work.  If it was negative, I wouldn't want to sit around my house by myself for that long.  But definitely having some down time to grieve would be great.

Right, if it's negative I won't be taking that long, a few days to mope around the house but then I would go back.

I am considering it, and if I decide to I'll have to talk to my work to get their thoughts.

etoyama

I think taking leave makes a lot of sense. If you have the felxibility to do it, I would advise you to.

albjag

If you have time off and it would help your mental health, then I'd do it.  Esp. if your time off doesn't carry over.  I'd just make sure I still had some time off for any upcoming holidays. 

albjag

If you have time off and it would help your mental health, then I'd do it.  Esp. if your time off doesn't carry over.  I'd just make sure I still had some time off for any upcoming holidays. 

ETA: but if you'll be sitting at home stressing out over your 2ww, then maybe make sure you have something to keep your mind off of it or go to work.... I just know sometimes work is a nice distraction during the 2 ww 

Yellow_Daisy

I would love to take off from when I start stims through the beta, but I don't want to use that much vacation.  I have a friend who did this on her successful IVF cycle and she said it made such a difference.  I will be taking off whenever I want from now through beta, my work is pretty flexible.  I definitely forsee some time off towards the end of stims and then ER and my RE requires 2 days bedrest so at least 2-3 days for ET.