taking off work for ivf

[LAMPUP]

hi All,
I am 31 years old and have been trying to get pregnant for the past five years with no success. I have had surgeries to remove fibriods and was told that i have bad endo.
We have finally saved enough money for three cycles of  IVF and now I AM CONCERNED about working while I am pregnant. I would think that complete bed rest at least for the first three months would be beneficial.
I am a school teacher and I was wondering if I will need to take a few months off for bed rest after the IVF to have a better chance holding the baby.
Did anyone on this forum take extended  time off from work?

[Mary97]

Job flexibility is nice because the appointments and early morning blood work eats into work time depending on how far you are from your clinic and work.  You definitely do not need bed rest.  In fact , even after transfer of the embryo they only suggest two days of bed rest.  And at some clinics even that is optional.  I would try and begin this summer before you go back to work in September.  Also, find a sympathetic administrator at your work and explain your situation if you think you'll need to be late a lot or leaving early for appointments.  

[Helen72]

Pregnancy is not a disability and my dr told me to take just 2 days off after transfer.  Most people do work during their first trimester.  However, being a teacher I am glad my first trimester was in the summer.  I was feeling soooo tired.  Most people I know had no problem working full time the first 3 months.  Most of them complain about the last few months.  
Good luck with your ivf!!!

[LAMPUP]

Thanks for your input guys. I understand that pregnancy is no a disability but my sister, who lives in the old country, had to get her cervix sewn and was placed  on nine months bed rest  to be able to hold her baby. She had five miscarriages before that.
Her doctor uses modern medicine with some old wife's  mayan procedures.
Her previous doctors told her that no bed rest was needed. When she reluctantly went  to the Mayan mid-wife (not a medical professional but has learned from the elders in her community) she was given massages of her pelvic area at least three times in a week for four weeks. She said the massages were very painful.
Then she said  the old lady examined her like a real doctor would (putting her hand inside with gloves off course) and told her that she has a weak womb and that she has to stay off her feet for all nine months and that she would have to get her cervix sewn.

This was so strange because we had never heard of getting one's cervix being sewn. She told my sister that the next time she gets pregnant to come to her immediately and she would send her to Guatemala to a medical doctor, she knew, to get her cervix tied or sewn.
Of course we dismissed it like ....
After the fifth miscarriage she finally decided that the for the next pregnancy she was going to do what the Mayan mid-wife said. It worked.

My problem is different. I  don't even get pregnant and I pray that a weak uterus won't be a factor after I get pregnant.

I consulted with the mid-wife before and she said that she would have to give me massages and an examination before she can tell what my problem is. My husband is very reluctant and skeptical and doesn't believe in alternative medicine at all.

[Helen72]

In the US they close your cervix if you had a m/c in the past that was due to incompetent cervix.  However, incompetent cervix is pretty rare.  

[mysty2001]

one week after the transfer is great

bedrest for first three months could be detrimental - when you don;t use your body or circulation - baby might not get what it needs