P/T job vs IVF ?

[Catfrog]

I am considering a p/t (3 days a week) job offer in another city and splitting my week between my home town and London (renting a friend's spare room to save the commute). I'm also about to start IVF for the first time. Am I crazy to think about trying to do both at the same time?

I don't want to take too much on but really want to get back to work as I took some time out to look after my Dad when he was very ill. Our consultant hasn't given us very much information about the process, how long each cycle takes and exactly when I will have to be available for appointments. Any advice from people who have already gone through the process would be gratefully received. Many thanks.

[fflonkl]

Hi Catfrog I did IVF almost two years ago - my DD just turned 1 and we were so very lucky to get her on the first try.

Only you can decide if taking on a job in another city whilst doing IVF is too much or not, so I'll just outline what my experience was like in case it helps.

All the tests (bloods, HSG etc) was done over the course of a couple of months, mainly because I had to do a number of blood tests and of course had to wait for the right time of the month. These weren't too onerous as were mostly done at my GP / local hospital.

However, once I started my injections I had to go to the clinic every 2-3 days for a scan to check how I was responding to the treatment. My consultant told me the average cycle is between 12-16 days; mine took 18 days. Once my eggs were of sufficient maturity, the extraction was scheduled for (IIRC) 48 hours later.

I chose my clinic as it was 10-15 minutes from home by bus, and I could then take the tube to go to work. I also managed to schedule all my scans first thing in the morning, so that I could get to work at roughly my usual time (I did not tell work I was going through IVF).

The thing about IVF is that you could be expected to go to hospital for extraction at any time from about a week after you start injections. My DH had to go to France when we did this, and I remember having a heated argument with him about when exactly he could go!

I think partly because of how I managed my appointments and work I didn't find IVF too stressful. Also my body seemed to cope quite well with all the stimms, so I wasn't overly tired or emotional but I know there are people who find the whole experience incredibly stressful, and I think you won't know which you'll be until you start. For that reason I think it's worth making sure that you are as relaxed as possible before and during your cycle.

Please feel free to ask any questions, IVF can be so hard. And good luck!

[Olive324]

Hi, I've just done a successful ivf and am now 18 weeks pregnant. You need to be flexible for about 3 weeks , after that it's just waiting and hoping. You start sniffing the down regulating drugs on day 21 for around 2 weeks if I remember. I had to go In For a scan after that to show that my system had shut down. Then you start on the injections . I had to go back for. 3 scans because each time they said the follicles weren't yet big enough and gave me a higher dose. Then when they decide the follicles are ok you go back 36 hours later for retrieval. Once the eggs are retrieved and put with the sperm you can be called back at. 2, 3 ,4 or 5 days later depending on how they are progressing to be put back. After that it's just waiting. Hope this makes sense. If you can be flexible for that short lenght of time it will be fine. Good luck!