Is it worth it to give up your career for IVF/pregnancy?

Question

I am going through IVF treatment right now and recently my work has been crazy. It is high workload and high stress situation. This is the case for past 1 month and likely to continue for the foreseeable future. I worked on the day of my ER. I had to answer emails on the day of my hysteroscopy. I have only taken medical days off since September. Not a single day for myself. I am terrified to take a day off because there will be a lot of backlog once I get back. Having said that, I am a workaholic. I do enjoy working and it is the one thing that has kept me (mostly) sane through the whole process. I am terribly conflicted because I want to go for FET soon and I realise don’t want all the stress. I have never thought of quitting in the last 8 years of my career. I can’t imagine not working and being financially independent. If I turn to my family for advice, they will say quit in a heartbeat. If anyone has powered through this phase, please share your tips. If you have given up your job/carrer, please share your thoughts and experience.

Answer

My opinion- I would never stop my career, but I would look for different jobs if I couldn’t make it work from within my job.

Answer

During my first IVF cycle I was in a high demand project. I’m an engineer and we just received construction management contract (that I was waiting for a long time) that I was running (a dream come true!). We worked 7a-7p every day.. sometimes even weekends. I can’t even count times I was responding to emails while sitting on the us table without underwear, lol. I actually continued to work during my successful FET (literally just went in for 1.5 hr to doctor and back to work) and throughout the pregnancy. To the extend that I finish work on Friday and delivered my daughter on Saturday. Now, I did draw a line once I was pregnant for all the big appointments and did not respond or look at phone. The work actually helped me not to overthink or look for things that were not there. Since you like to work I’m sure you’ll find a healthy balance. I did not come back to that project after my maternity leave bc that would def be too much. I started to have different priorities and my baby was (and still is) number one on my mind through the day. 
My second IVF cycle was in a very laid back project. Yes I had more flexibility and didn’t have to rush back but it also gave me much more free time to overthink. Now I’m still in the same project and to be honest, the days or weeks from appointment to appointment kind of drag. I “love” when I’m swamped at work bc that what makes it move fast. Typical workaholic. 
So, I wouldn’t quit but if you feeling burn down set some boundaries. Something like “no emails or phone calls after 4p” or “30min lunch without looking at emails” or whatever works best in your schedule. At the end of the day the work still be there regardless if you go crazy working or just take a few hrs or a day off. Sending hugs!

Answer

Can you work part time?

Answer

I now work for a lady who had successful IVF over 6 years ago, against all odds. She was working in the corporate world and, like you, she knew the stress of her job was negative for her IVF process. She left her job right before the transfer, and she started her own business. Stressful in itself, true, but it was all on her own terms and she was free to take days off if she needed, start out slow, etc. Her business now is a whole lot bigger than it was when she first started. So she had time to relax into the IVF process and she says she knows that helped her to get pregnant. I came to work for her because I wanted to lessen my work stress also, and it helps to work for someone who has been through it all and can relate. I don't think you have to quit working altogether. Just maybe find something less stressful.

Is it worth it to give up your career for IVF/pregnancy?

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