How Businesswomen Can Juggle Their Career and IVF Journey
An IVF journey is an incredibly personal experience for every woman. It takes a toll on one’s mental and physical capacities especially when a woman is simultaneously coping with the emotional stress of infertility. Here, one can feel anything from guilt, anger, shame, and even feelings of failure or inadequacy. This can make it difficult for a woman to pursue their other life commitments such as their career.
Businesswomen, thus, tend to be among those who struggle the most with juggling their careers and IVF journey. This is especially true when the former used to take up a significant portion of their everyday lives. As such, it is important that this is immediately mitigated so that businesswomen can find success in both commitments. Unsure where to start? Here’s our guide for every businesswoman on their IVF journey.
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Give yourself more breaks
It is easy to overwork yourself in fear that lessening your load reflects on your competency. However, IVF can be a delicate process that already speaks of your ability to handle extraordinary feats. That is why it is important for businesswomen to practice self-care by setting work as the secondary priority. The first will be your physical and mental health.
One can begin by reflecting on their personal capacity — including capabilities, flaws, and schedule — alongside workload. Here, self-awareness is an important business skill that will make or break a businesswoman’s balance. By remaining skillful and true to themselves, businesswomen can craft a game plan where they distribute tasks to trusted employees, while still retaining the core responsibilities of their position. This will allow you to have a lighter load while still demonstrating your resourcefulness, tact, and work ethic.
Talk to your superiors
In Canada, a growing number of employers now offer fertility treatments as benefits. However, most of this initiative comes from larger companies. In line with this, Amy Klein, author of The Trying Game, advises other businesswomen to put in writing to HR and their boss that they are undergoing fertility treatment or IVF. This will encourage leniency in some work policies like being late because you have preemptively assured the higher-ups of your productivity.
If you hope to not specifically disclose the procedure, you can simply say, “I have a medical situation.” However, Klein says that you’d be surprised how supportive others can be if you choose to talk about it. That’s because an increasing number of people are becoming more familiar with the demands of IVF. After all, they may even know someone else who has experienced IVF with 1 in 6 couples in Canada experiencing infertility.
All in all, this is why safe and healthy spaces are not limited to the office or the household, but also encompass the greater context of the community you live in. All of these will play a factor in how you can juggle your priorities for a safe, healthy, and successful career and IVF journey.
Choose your fertility clinic wisely
It is important to seek an IVF centre that understands you as a businesswoman. They will consider your schedule when setting consultations and appointments and also act as an advisor when it comes to juggling your workload.
Because many businesswomen on IVF journeys have unpredictable schedules, it is also important to choose an accessible fertility clinic. However, it is key to consider your province, as well. While most Canadian provinces cover fertility treatments, a few don't offer reimbursements, tax credits, or grants. These provinces include Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. If you're a businesswoman residing in these locations, it is even more critical to get assistance from your work.
That is why safe and healthy spaces are not limited to the office or the household, but also encompass the greater context of the community you live in. All of these will play a factor in how you can juggle your priorities for a safe, healthy, and successful career and IVF journey.
Article written by Remy Jess
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.