IVF & Covid Conundrum

I must admit, I’m a little apprehensive to work during the stim, retrieval, and transfer process, as the Covid numbers are reportedly rising, and I don’t want to risk possible exposure and subsequent cancellation of treatment.

I asked the nurse if my RE could provide me with a doctors note for a prolonged period of time. I’ll hear back on Monday when she returns to her office, but my expectations are low.

Even though we follow the mandates of the Ministry of Health, Covid screening, temperature checks, PPE mask and googles, swabbed twice a week (rapid and PCR), all visitors must be swabbed prior to entering, IPAC measures, etc., we have still experienced outbreak scares which thankfully turned out to be false positives, but again the numbers are rising.

The problem is also staffing, I don’t know how accommodating my boss will be now that we’re short staffed and my wanting to keep this IVF cycle more private. I work shift work: days, afternoons, nights, and if I don’t get the time off, it’s definitely going to be more difficult. I worked during my first IVF cycle last year and I was super stressed near the end as my workplace went into “possible outbreak” and even had a dry precautionary run response, as the suspected person was a-symptomatic and later tested negative.

It would have been awful to have to cancel and lose thousands of dollars on meds. I thankfully went through with retrieval, and fresh transfer which unfortunately failed. So for my next transfer I was graciously granted a couple weeks off to try a natural FET, as it required closer monitoring, but unfortunately that failed too.

I’m coming to the realization there’s really not much I can do to increase my success but at least I can say I tried to prevent unnecessary exposure to COVID, if I’m granted a stay at home order during treatment (which is highly unlikely but you never know).

I foresee, however, letting my boss know what I’m up to again, so that she can possibly make room in my schedule for my upcoming appointments. My boss would probably hate me if I took an extended period of time off, especially when I’m really needed.

I’ve been waiting all year and years for this, I’ve been on DHEA for 3 months, among a slew of other egg quality/boosting supplements. I can’t wait to see if any of it made a positive difference! I just want to get through this without any outbreaks or shutdowns, and most importantly to have a successful happy ending! Don’t we all, and I pray🙏🏼 that we will end this journey with our little miracles! ♥️♥️