Can I work while having IVF?

Be kind to yourself

Divpreet Sacha, general practice specialty registrar, Birmingham and Solihull, says, “In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is becoming increasingly common, yet the mental and emotional toll it takes is rarely discussed. The physical effects of IVF drugs are well known, but the mental struggles—stress, anxiety, and emotional fatigue—often get overlooked. IVF isn’t a straightforward process; each person’s response is different and delays or complications can add even more pressure. As the number of people undergoing IVF grows, it’s important to raise awareness about the physical and mental challenges, especially when trying to balance the demands of work.

“I struggled with balancing work and IVF. The emotional weight and physical exhaustion were overwhelming and eventually I had to take sick leave to focus on my mental health. As a doctor, especially in the NHS, there’s a culture of just getting on with it. Workplace pressures can make it harder to admit when you’re struggling. IVF is already a highly personal and emotionally charged journey, and the idea of sharing such private information at work can feel daunting.

“My advice is to be kind to yourself. IVF is challenging and it’s okay to acknowledge that. If you can, find someone supportive in the workplace to confide in. While it can feel uncomfortable to share something so personal, having a trusted colleague or employer who understands can ease the pressure. When your employers are aware of your struggles, they’re more likely to be supportive if complications arise, giving you the space you need to focus on your health.

“If IVF is part of your journey, remember you don’t have to go through it alone. Be gentle with yourself, prioritise your wellbeing, and seek the support you need. Your health should always come first.”

Find your supporters

Stacey Killick, consultant paediatrician, Glan Clwyd Hospital, says, “Having conceived my little boy through intrauterine insemination (IUI) during the end of my training, I arrived at the point that I felt ready for a second bundle of joy as I returned to work as a consultant following maternity leave.

“Because of personal circumstances, I was always going to need fertility treatment and a failed IUI treatment early on made me realise how hard it was juggling treatment with childcare and a busy job. Having researched a bit more, I made the decision to move on to IVF for the increased success rates and fewer initial appointments.

“The clinic prepares you for what treatment entails, with online training and a lot of support along the way. But managing that treatment while working a stressful job that includes on-calls was a lot to deal with. Side effects are common and I found the headaches and the bloating before egg collection hard to deal with, having developed mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. It also involved planning in case you needed to inject at work, as the drugs can need refrigeration and are often time dependent.

“My colleagues were amazing. I was supported with cover when appointments arose during times of clinical commitment, which was a relief as the appointments change each cycle and cannot be planned. I was also blessed to have a few people that I could talk to about the difficulties, symptoms, and emotions that I experienced during this process. I was incredibly fortunate that after my fourth embryo transfer I became pregnant.

“My advice to anyone going through a similar process would be to identify people who can support you along the way; it’s both physically and emotionally draining and it’s good to have someone ready for when you need them.

“Try to keep your diary fairly free; you need to be able to slot in appointments at short notice. Plan your week and use alarms for your medications and keep spares with you if necessary. Also plan ahead if you’ll need refrigerated medication near on-calls and work out how you could access it.

“Be kind to yourself during this time; self-care goes a long way. Try and destress where you can, and appreciate that after embryo transfer there is a 72 hour window of possible implantation where it would be better if you could be resting.

“We are doctors, but we are people too, and we should feel enabled and supported to take the journeys that we feel drawn to take.”

Sharing can lighten the load

Preetha Biyani, GP, says, “Going through fertility treatments and miscarriages is emotionally and physically challenging. Balancing this with work and daily life can be hard.

“Looking after yourself is important. It can be all consuming trying to keep the appointments to yourself and managing them around your work schedule. There is the fear of others finding out, or colleagues and managers not being accommodating.

“I’m currently a salaried GP and a teaching fellow at University of Leeds Medical School. One thing I’ve learnt is to be open with your team. That doesn’t mean you need to tell everyone but having key people aware of what you’re going through helps.

“To add to a mix of complications, I’ve been having treatment abroad for the past 14 months. Both my workplaces are aware of the situation and are supportive, which has allowed me to plan my treatments. It has also meant that they know when I might be struggling with side effects or if booking a baby clinic is not the best idea after a failed cycle.

“If you are open about your treatment you can also discuss the option of working from home or reducing your hours while you’re having active treatment.

“Finding the time and privacy to take your injections or pessaries can also cause anxiety. I worked with the IVF clinic to create a twice a day regimen, making it easier to do this around my work schedules.

“Sadly, there is no clear national guidance on IVF leave for doctors working in primary care or secondary care. This is something that has added to my stress levels in the past. It’s important to familiarise yourself with your local guidelines and speak to the BMA if you have concerns. You may also wish to speak to your GP. Support at home is also crucial. Counselling is something to consider, with many UK clinics offering this free.”