Hi Claire
Welcome to the thread! It's a daunting process IVF but hopefully it'll be worth it in the end!
As for timescales, its different for every woman. Lots depend on what protocol you are on - long or short. If your on a LP for your first cycle, which is usually the case, they take control of your cycle by doing down regulation to stop your cycle, then stimming drugs to produce to of eggs. My LP last year took around 40 days from down regging, egg collection and a transfer.
Work are unfortunately correct in that legally they don't have to give you time off for appointments, however, following embryo transfer you are in the eye of the law pregnant and then any time off is considered pregnancy related, including a fortnight after a pregnacy test, so if you are unlucky enough to get a bfn (hopefully wont be the case) you have some time to deal with your emotions.
You will get some notice, albeit 2 days of when to expect egg collection, and you'll usually be booked in for a 3 day transfer as standard, although if you get lots of healthy eggs with a good fertilisation report this can be pushed back to a 5 day transfer. Have you got the possibility of working flexi time? Or possibly if you can afford it a temporary reduction in hours? Try not to stress so if you think youll be worked up some leave around transfer time may be a good idea. Every little helps. I found that if you offer to be as flexible as possible, work are willing to work around appointments. The awful thing is I work in the NHS - you think given the circumstances they would be alright wouldn't you?
What's been your journey so far if you don't mind me asking? It's ok to be scared, fear of the unknown especially with IVF is horrible, but it gives us hope, and that's the most important thing. Big hugs, and wishing you all the luck for your first cycle.
AQ you've been in my thoughts, and I'm glad your gonna spend some time just finding you and giving yourself a break. Big hugs hunni x x
Afm, well I've never been so bloated in all my life. My period has also arrived, so I'm proper getting battered. I've also had some bad news today as well, my poor mum fell out of bed the other day. She went to the walk in centre which told her it was sprained and to do some exercises. Today it got really bad so I took her to the hospital, it turned out she's broken her collar bone! How awful is that? The walk in centre didn't even suggest getting it x rayed. Was proper heartbreaking seeing my mum in so much pain,but I was fuming that the walk in centre didn't give a toss and could have made it worse.
How's everyone doing? Love and big hugs to all the gang! X x x
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