Going through IVF treatment in the workplace can be exhausting and emotionally taxing. There are a lot of appointments you’ll need to attend, and it can be a stressful process.

If you have a full-time job, it can be difficult managing your IVF around it. However, there are some great tips you can follow to make it work. Below, you’ll discover how to successfully manage your IVF treatment in the workplace.

Consider how much time off you will need

To minimise disruption in the workplace, you’ll need to know how much time you need to take off. You can find this out by going over your individual treatment plan with your care team. Figure out how many early morning clinic visits you’ll need to make, alongside how much time off you’ll need after the egg retrieval and embryo transfer procedures.

Speak to your manager

Once you know how much time you’ll need to take off, it’s a good idea to speak to your manager. You can decide how much you want to tell them. If you don’t want to reveal that you are undergoing IVF, you can simply state you have a medical issue. However, you’ll find most managers will be understanding if you are honest about the situation.

Before you speak to them, make sure you have a plan in place. How will you make up any time that is lost? You could also see whether working from home on your appointment days is an option.

Prepare for physical discomfort

Your body goes through some major changes during IVF. Not only will you feel exhausted, but you may experience physical discomfort. It isn’t unusual for women to experience pregnancy symptoms while they are going through the treatment.
To prepare for physical discomfort, wear loose, flattering clothing. Eat smaller meals and snacks if you develop nausea. You’ll also want to limit what you do, so don’t be afraid to pull back on your commitments.

Look after yourself

Going through IVF in the workplace can be stressful. Increased stress levels can wreak havoc on your health. As you are trying to become pregnant, keeping stress levels to a minimum is key. This means you’ll want to make sure you are taking good care of yourself.
Engage in relaxing activities such as reading, yoga, or listening to relaxing music. While it’s hard to practice self-care at work, it isn’t impossible. On your breaks, do something relaxing like going for a walk or reading a good book. Remember to take regular breathing breaks to focus on lowering your stress levels.

If you follow the tips above, you’ll be able to better manage IVF in the workplace. The more you prepare, the easier you’ll find it is to balance IVF with work. For more advice on IVF treatment, call us on 020 3263 6025 or email us at admin@ariafertility.co.uk.

New data published by the UK fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), has found that the IVF success rate is continuing to improve in the UK.

Reviewing the trends in fertility treatment numbers between 1991 and 2019, they were able to ascertain that as well as an increase in IVF success, more single women and same sex couples were seeking fertility treatment.

Chair of the HFEA Julia Chain summarised that there have been “many positive changes in the treatment of patients”, citing “birth rates increasing, multiple birth rates falling and treatment becoming safer”.

A 30-year review of fertility treatment

The report was published to mark the 30-year anniversary of the establishment of the HFEA, the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment.

It found that, since 1991, the success rate for all patient groups under the age of 43 for IVF and donor insemination had increased. In patients aged between 35 and 37, this had grown from 6% to 25%.

A common concern about IVF treatment is the possibility of multiple births and its associated complications. The multiple birth rate has dramatically declined, from 28% to just 6% in 2019, reflecting a change in treatment practice.

Sally Cheshire CBE, commented: “Fertility treatment has come a long way over more than 40 years and is now safer whilst helping more people to create their much longed for families.”

“We know that multiple births carry higher risks to mothers and babies and cost more to the NHS. That’s why, it is a great achievement that all our hard work with fertility clinics has paid off as we have now achieved the lowest ever multiple birth rate while continuing to see success rates rise.”

Fertility patient demographics

While patients in heterosexual relationships still account for most fertility treatments, the report also found that the number of single women and same-sex couples choosing to undergo IVF or donor insemination has also rapidly increased in this time frame, reflecting a growing societal attitude change to family creation.

Embryo freezing uptake growing

The report also noted that the use of frozen embryos has gone up by 11% since 2016, which indicates an increased uptake in freeze cycles. Notably, frozen cycles success rates at 23% have overtaken fresh embryo cycles success rates (22%) for the first time since records began, meaning that our patients can be reassured that freezing embryos can give them as much chance of success as using fresh embryos.

For more advice on any of the fertility treatments we offer at Aria, call us on 020 3263 6025 or email us on admin@ariafertility.co.uk. Alternatively, fill in the contact form below and one of our team will be in touch.