Your Fertility And The Workplace
Written by: Louise Siwicki, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Feeling overwhelmed as you juggle fertility treatment, work, and your other responsibilities? Well, you are not alone. In Australia., we work an average of 40-50 hours per week… and I know many of you reading this spend much more time on your job than that!
That's more time than you spend with loved ones and friends per week. We spend most of our working lives at work in this modern world.
Meanwhile, you also still have a household to run and, somewhere in between would like to fit in a little downtime.
Now, if you’re throwing fertility treatment into the mix. Spending time at fertility clinic consults, appointments for blood work and sonograms, managing medications and performing injections, having procedures done, and beyond. If you add up the hours involved, fertility treatments feel just as demanding (if not more) than an actual job. It's certainly more emotionally demanding!
Now I don’t say all of this to overwhelm you, but rather to point out how important it is that you prioritise yourself during this time.
Having a plan to manage the stress and anxiety of undergoing fertility treatment while working will help you remain feeling calm, capable, and in control.
4 ways to manage your fertility and work to empower you to feel in control.
1. Put Yourself First
You have full permission to put yourself first and carve out regular time for self-care. What makes you truly happy? It’s time to get work that out and incorporate this into your life again.
Self-care is not selfish. In fact, during fertility treatment it is crucial to prioritize yourself and manage your stress levels. Activities that make you truly happy are essential. Is it a walk on the beach, exercise, meditation, journalling, reading cooking, going for a coffee with a close friend? Dinner with you your partner? Whatever it is this must be a priority for you. Schedule time into your day to make sure this activity happens.
Also, be sure not to over-commit your precious time. It’s important to be social if you find it helps, but protect yourself from saying yes to everything you’re invited to or asked to participate in. Give yourself full permission to say no. There's no pressure during this time.
2. Ask for Help Outside of Work
Consider where you can use support with day-to-day tasks. If you’re used to managing everything yourself, I know asking for help is difficult. You may initially feel like there isn’t anything you could possibly pass over to someone else. But this isn’t forever and letting go of responsibilities is necessary to help you focus on what’s most important: Taking care of your mind, body, and emotions during fertility treatment.
What can your partner take over around the house? Can you hire someone to help with cleaning or landscaping? Can your friends or family help with meal prep or taking the dog out for a walk? Every little bit helps, and you’ll thank yourself for planning ahead.
3. Communication is key at work
Treatment can, and often does, interfere with work schedules. Make sure you understand your basic timeline and important estimated dates ahead. Procedures like an egg retrieval or embryo transfer cannot be moved or rescheduled. Don’t be afraid to ask your care team questions if you’re not sure.
Many woman say they feel isolated and alone in the workplace when dealing with infertility. They have not communicated their situation for fear it will negatively impact their career.
While it can be scary to open up about your fertility journey at work, many patients are surprised by how accommodating and helpful management can be during this time. Be upfront with HR so they can help you rearrange your schedule or find coverage, as needed.
Being as open and honest about your situation as possible is key to keeping the lines of communication open with your workplace so they are able to work with you and around your schedule of fertility appointments.
4. Reframe How You Think About Your Time at Work
You may think work is the last place you’ll want to be during your treatment timeline, but many patients find that going to work during their fertility treatments helps in an unexpected way: It keeps their minds off of the worry of conceiving. If you’re open to it, work can serve as a retreat from the pressures of infertility. Instead of thinking about your egg retrieval or transfer, at work you may be able to stay in the moment and focus on the task at hand. This simple reframe can help you stay positive and optimistic, and we can all use more of that.
Many women find that the pressures of work and fertility treatments can sometimes be too much. By taking note of these simple ideas you may find you feel less overwhelmed, stressed and anxious and more in control of your fertility journey and your working environment.
I work with clients on a daily basis that are struggling to manage both work and their fertility journey. My professional individualised programs are specifically designed to provide you with the support you need to effectively navigate this very stressful time with ease.
Louise Siwicki, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Louise Siwicki is a specialist in the fields of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Time Line Therapy®, Hypnotherapy, and Fertility Coaching, expert. She offers specialized programs for both women and men suffering infertility issues through pregnancy and early parenthood.
She uses different practical processes and techniques to rewire the brain of her clients and build new neural pathways. This eliminates and heals the root cause of stress and anxiety, the negative emotions and limiting beliefs holding them back from achieving the success and happiness they desire in life.
After suffering through 6 years of infertility issues herself, she has since dedicated her life to supporting women and men through this very challenging time in their lives. She is the founder and CEO of “Louise Siwicki Coaching,” author of "The Secret to Getting Pregnant is not Just in Your Body but in Your Mind" and a public speaker.
Her mission: To help everyone understand the importance of the mind and body connection. If you don’t master your mind, your mind will master you.
