Work stress and IF

[Anonymous]

I just got a negative result from my second IVF cycle. (First was fresh, this time was frozen.) I have a pretty stressful job and am thinking of finding a new one, because I want to do everything I can do to make this work. We have unexplained infertility. Both cycles I responded very well to the medications and the embryos were good quality-- the implantation just didn't happen.

Does anyone have experience with leaving a stressful job and becoming pregnant?

And, if I were to find a new job, should I tell them before I accept a job offer that I would need to be out for a day or two every six weeks for treatments? I would hate to take a new job only to learn that I don't have the flexibility to be out when I need to be.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

It's so hard to know how much work stress affects these things. if you stay in your job are there other things you can do to help with stress? I tried to get back massages during the stim time of my cycle plus I did accupuncture.

If you do decide to change jobs... personally, I wouldn't tell them that you are going through IVF and will need time off. You can try to get a feel for their overall flexibility/leave policies before you take the job (esp since this will be important info for when you are pregnant).

Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

I really don't think stress can be that big a factor in implantation. I remember after the tsumani back in 2006 (?) stories of families who had lost children, were living in tents, super high stress, who got pregnant and were having babies 10-11 months after the disaster. Seems like being a lawyer is nothing compared to that.

But, maybe constant stress every day that you are going to lose your job, screw up, get yelled at, commit malpractice is worse from your body's point of view than experiencing a life changing disaster but they sort of sitting around recovering and not worrying about court deadlines.

I don't believe the stress theories, partially b/c that just feeds into the myth that if "you would just relax" you would get pregnant. WHich feeds in to the cultural opposition to treating IF as a medial problem that should be covered by insurance.

All that said, however, my first child was a two year IF ordeal. The second (after I changed jobs) was an oops. But, I attribute the easy second (and finally gettting pg with #1) to removal of uterine polyps that might have been interfering with implantation. I don't think it was removal of stress.

[Anonymous]

Can you stay where you are and just cut back a bit? I went to 80% when going through my third round of IVF (which was successful). It really helped.

[Anonymous]

I really don't think stress per-say affects these things. Sure, if you were up all night working or something then maybe. But if you are getting the rest you need and eating OK then I don't think your job is the problem.

My job was busy and somewhat stressful but eventually I had success on 3rd IVF. Actually sometimes I found the busy work schedule a blessing to distract from obsessing about the TTC stuff.

[Anonymous]

Op, I'm surprised that anyone on this board actually believes that stress isn't a factor with infertility issues. I had to laugh at the post suggesting that stress couldn't possibly come into play because obviously stressed tsunami survivors were able to get pregnant quickly after the disaster! Seriously though - it seems foolish to deny the negative impact that continued stress has on the mind-body connection. Fwiw, I don't think there's a magic bullet for eliminating stress. Is there a way you could lighten the current stressors without completely finding a new job? Having said that - maybe leaving your job would work for you. Bottom line - I recommend reducing as much stress as possible, but only you know the best way to do that.