The Reality of IVF and Work
IVF requires 4-7 monitoring appointments over 10-12 days, plus retrieval day off and possible transfer day. Early morning appointments (6-8 AM) can minimize work disruption. You don't have to tell your employer—"medical appointments" is sufficient. Planning ahead and building flexibility into your schedule makes the process more manageable.
One of the most stressful aspects of IVF isn't the treatment itself—it's figuring out how to fit it around your work life. The monitoring appointments, the unpredictable timing, the physical and emotional side effects, and the need for privacy all create unique challenges for working professionals.
The good news is that thousands of people successfully navigate IVF while maintaining their careers. With some planning, strategic scheduling, and self-compassion, you can manage both. This guide will help you develop a practical approach that works for your situation.
Understanding the Time Commitment
Before you can plan, you need to understand what IVF actually requires in terms of time away from work:
During Ovarian Stimulation (8-14 days)
- Monitoring appointments: 4-7 visits over 10-12 days, typically every 2-3 days at first, then daily near the end
- Appointment duration: 30-60 minutes for blood draw and ultrasound
- Timing: Most clinics offer early morning slots (6-8 AM) specifically to accommodate work schedules
- Results calls: You'll receive a call later in the day with instructions—usually can be taken anywhere
Egg Retrieval Day
- Time off needed: Full day minimum (you'll be sedated)
- Recovery: Many women feel fine the next day; some need an additional day
- No driving: You'll need someone to take you home
- Plan for flexibility: The exact date depends on how you respond to medications
Embryo Transfer Day
- Time off needed: Half day to full day (no sedation, but rest is recommended)
- Procedure time: 15-30 minutes
- Post-transfer: Light activity for a few days; no bed rest required
The Two-Week Wait
- Physical demands: Minimal—you can work normally
- Emotional demands: Significant—anxiety and distraction are common
- Pregnancy test: One appointment for blood draw
📊 Total Time Estimate
For a typical IVF cycle, expect approximately 8-10 appointments over 3-4 weeks, plus 1-2 full days off for retrieval and transfer. Most appointments can be scheduled before 8 AM, minimizing work disruption if your clinic offers early hours.
To Tell or Not to Tell Your Employer
This is one of the most personal decisions in the IVF process. There's no right answer—it depends on your workplace culture, your relationship with your manager, your job security concerns, and your personal comfort level.
Reasons to Disclose
- Reduces stress: No need to make excuses or hide appointments
- Access to accommodations: Some employers offer fertility benefits or flexible scheduling
- Supportive manager: A good manager can provide flexibility and understanding
- Explains performance changes: If you're not at your best, context helps
- Builds trust: Honesty can strengthen relationships
Reasons to Keep Private
- It's personal: You don't owe anyone details about your reproductive life
- Career concerns: Worry about being perceived as "distracted" or less committed
- Unsupportive culture: Some workplaces aren't understanding about personal matters
- Privacy preference: You may not want colleagues knowing intimate details
- "Medical appointments" suffices: You can explain absences without specifics
The Middle Ground
Many people find a middle path works best:
- HR only: Disclose to access benefits or FMLA without telling your direct team
- Manager only: Give your manager context without announcing to the whole office
- Trusted colleague: Have one person who can cover for you without broadcasting why
- Vague explanation: "I'm dealing with a medical situation that requires some appointments"
💡 What to Say
If you don't want to disclose fully, simple phrases work: "I have a series of medical appointments over the next few weeks" or "I'm dealing with a health matter that requires some flexibility." You don't need to elaborate. Most reasonable managers won't push for details about medical issues.
Practical Scheduling Strategies
Before Your Cycle Starts
- Front-load work: Complete big projects and deadlines before stim week begins
- Clear your calendar: Avoid scheduling important meetings during the retrieval window
- Build a buffer: Leave some flexibility for unexpected appointment changes
- Identify coverage: Know who can handle things if you're unexpectedly out
During Stimulation
- Book first appointments: 7 AM slots let you be at work by 9 AM
- Block calendar strategically: Mark potential appointment windows as "busy"
- Keep mornings free: Batch afternoon meetings when possible
- Work from home if possible: Remote work days around appointments reduce commute stress
Around Retrieval
- Plan for flexibility: The exact date isn't known until 1-2 days before
- Block the window: Mark 2-3 possible retrieval days as potentially unavailable
- Prepare handoff notes: Document anything colleagues might need to handle
- Set up out-of-office: Have it ready to activate quickly
Managing Energy and Focus
IVF affects more than your schedule—it impacts how you feel physically and emotionally, which can affect your work performance.
During Stimulation Week
The medications cause real physical effects that can impact work:
- Bloating: Wear comfortable clothes; you may feel distracted by discomfort
- Fatigue: Don't schedule demanding tasks late in the day
- Mood swings: Hormones are fluctuating significantly; practice extra patience
- Brain fog: Some women report difficulty concentrating
- Headaches: Stay hydrated and keep pain relievers handy
The Two-Week Wait
This is often the hardest period emotionally:
- Anxiety: Worrying about results is normal and distracting
- Symptom spotting: You may analyze every twinge (progesterone causes pregnancy-like symptoms regardless)
- Distraction: Concentration may suffer
- Emotional volatility: Good days and bad days are both normal
Results Day
Whether positive or negative, results day is emotional:
- Plan a light workload: Don't schedule important presentations
- Have an exit strategy: Know how you'll handle the afternoon if news is hard
- Tell someone: Have a person who knows you're waiting for results
⚠️ Give Yourself Grace
You will not be at 100% during IVF. That's okay. This is a temporary period, and maintaining some balance is more important than peak performance. Don't schedule career-defining moments during treatment if you can avoid it.
Self-Care at Work During IVF
- Keep injection supplies discreet: If you need to do evening shots at work, find a private space
- Stay hydrated: Keep water at your desk, especially during stimulation
- Wear comfortable clothes: Bloating is real; stretchy waistbands help
- Take real lunch breaks: Step away from your desk; fresh air helps
- Set boundaries: It's okay to say no to optional commitments during treatment
- Find your support: Even one trusted colleague to vent to helps
When Treatment Doesn't Go as Planned
Cycles get cancelled, transfers fail, and sometimes you'll need to process difficult news while at work. It's important to:
- Allow space to process: Don't force yourself to power through if you need time
- Have a backup plan: Know who can cover if you need to leave unexpectedly
- It's okay to step away: Taking a mental health day after difficult news is valid
- Don't make big decisions immediately: Wait before deciding about work or treatment changes
The Case for Treatment Abroad
Here's something many patients don't consider: doing IVF abroad might actually simplify work logistics.
Instead of months of juggling appointments around your work schedule, you take a focused 2-3 week trip. It's easier to explain a single block of time off than dozens of scattered appointments. You can frame it as medical travel, a personal matter, or even a "trip to South America" if you prefer privacy.
Benefits of the IVF trip approach:
- One block of time: Rather than months of scheduling gymnastics
- Mental separation: Being away helps you focus on treatment without work distractions
- Recovery environment: Rest in a pleasant location rather than rushing back to work
- Privacy: Easier to keep confidential from colleagues
- Cost savings: Treatment costs in Colombia are 50-70% less than the US
You're Not Alone
It's estimated that 1 in 6 people experience infertility. Many of your colleagues have likely faced similar challenges, even if they haven't talked about it. The silence around fertility struggles is starting to break, and workplace attitudes are slowly shifting.
Whatever approach you take—full disclosure, complete privacy, or something in between—know that managing IVF alongside work is completely doable. It requires some planning and flexibility, but millions of people have done it successfully while building their families.
Be patient with yourself. This is a season, not forever. And one day, hopefully soon, you'll look back on this period as part of the journey to something wonderful. 💜
Planning for Different Scenarios
IVF doesnt always go according to plan, and having contingency strategies can reduce stress. Consider what youll do if your cycle is cancelled, if you need an extra day off after retrieval, if you get emotional news during work hours, or if you need multiple cycles. Having a backup plan for each scenario—whether its a trusted colleague who can cover, work-from-home flexibility, or saved PTO—gives you peace of mind. Some women find it helpful to have a response prepared if coworkers ask questions. A simple Im dealing with a health matter usually suffices. You deserve privacy, and you can share as much or as little as you choose.