The time when you are trying to conceive is very different for you in comparison with other married females. On your own or your close one’s advice, you decide to treat your issues by visiting a fertility clinic in Bangalore or locality. Your fertility treatment might require you to have frequent clinic visits and allied things.
This can be a little tricky for you if you are a working woman. You need to manage both your work and your fertility treatments. With a few ideas, you can make your work work for you during your fertility treatment.
Keep in mind you are not alone
Your infertility experience might be an isolating experience for you. However, the reality is very different from your thinking. As per the ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine), approximately 10-15% of American couples have fertility problems. According to a study of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, around 10-15 couples out of 100 experience infertility in any form.
Male and female infertility have approximately equal share in bringing a child. Each of male and female has around 30% share and the rest is the combination of both. It means your conception problems might relate to you, or your male partner, or both of you. A fertility specialist can help you find the root cause.
Manage your work and appointments
Apart from being an emotional and physical toll on you, your fertility treatments are a financial and timing toll on you. To get the best result or positive outcomes, you might have to be at the clinic at the scheduled time on every other day. And taking leave on every other day might create problems in your job and bring financial issues. So, it is crucial for you to manage both – your job and your fertility treatments.
- Talk to your team leader or HR manager to request for a flexible working hour of WFH/work from home
- Block early morning off
- Select the right clinic with flexible appointment timings
- Get a supportive hand to assist you in your work, treatment, and household work
Be clear on whom to disclose and whom not to disclose
Getting permission for frequent leaves, flexible working hours, or work from home can be a topic of discussion among your coworkers. Most of your colleagues would know why you are frequently away from your work or any related things.
You should never be open to everyone at your work. Instead of disclosing your fertility problems, you can mention that you are suffering from a medical condition. And this requires frequent clinic visits. As far as possible, avoid revealing the truth. In a rare case, you can talk to the management team or HR manager on your issue.
Know your company policy over medical covers
Many public and private companies offer medical covers, including fertility. You need to know whether your company is offering fertility cover or not. If yes, get in touch with the respective person and discuss how you can get benefits of that facility. In the case of no such services, you might not need to feel isolated.
Take care of yourself
A TTC (trying to conceive) process is a rigorous process. You can succeed in it when you do what your fertility specialist suggests and what support you receive from your spouse. So, it is crucial for you to take proper care of yourself. Here are some steps that you can take in this regard:
- Cut down your commitments in your professional life and family life
- Build a support network and include your spouse and your close ones in it
- Stay engaged in self care that could be diet, exercises, fertility supplements, meditation, and love
- Avoid being trapped and trying advises that come in your way
- Take any step after talking to your doctor or your research work on your reproductive system and experience you have
- Be ready for allied therapy
Conclusion
In your fertility treatment and conception duration, your work can be a helping hand for you. And for this, you need to be careful and must have a clear idea/plan how to manage the whole thing you have and your company medical policy. You should avoid being an open book and talk only to a respective person.
