Having fertility troubles can be exhausting and it's often difficult to put on a brave face at work.
It can be difficult to juggle it all
Fertility treatments require multiple appointments with your fertility clinic. You may be able to attend online video consultations with your doctor, but you will need to attend the clinic for investigations, receiving and signing consents, multiple ultrasound monitoring appointments and appointments for any procedures. While some appointments are shorter, some procedures would require time off work. The Fertility Network conducted a survey in 2016 that revealed that 50% of respondents needed more than a week off of work.
Fertility can be hard to discuss at work
When you start trying to conceive, most people (understandably) want to get pregnant as soon as possible – but it doesn't always work out that way. It’s hard to open up about something so personal with friends and family, let alone your boss. This can be attributed to numerous factors or just a bad case of stiff upper lip British-ness to embarrassment.
Many people want privacy during this time – to avoid the stigma around fertility problems – while others worry that their boss will not be understanding or that taking time off for treatments could affect their career prospects. So, what can you do?
Talk to HR
You don't need to discuss personal details, just tell them what feels comfortable. Check if your work has a fertility policy (you'd be surprised how many do) and see if you can take time off for tests and treatments.
Talk to your colleagues
If you don't want to talk to your colleagues – or you're just not that close – it's completely fine to skip this step. If you are close with them, however, it can be helpful to explain what's going on, especially if you'll be taking time off.
Fertility issues are more common than most people realise, if you open up about what you're going through you might find people who have been through the same thing!
Understand your rights
If part of your treatment includes having an embryo transfer, from a legal perspective, you are considered pregnant. This means you have the same rights as a pregnant person in regard to medical leave and protection from discrimination for being pregnant.
Make time for yourself
Dealing with fertility problems is time-consuming and you may start to feel like you're losing yourself. Make sure to take time for yourself.
Get support when you need it
If you feel you need more focused support, try speaking to a counsellor (your work might even have one) or joining a support group.
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