Hi Jules,

My dh and i are in a similar situation to you. We found out we needed to do IVF while both studing for our masters (but in different areas) part time, and working full time, plus we were building a house. We put IVF off till the house was built and we moved, but decided to start IVF over xmas so that if it worked first cycle, it would be before uni started - great plan, but turned out that we were that busy for our first cycle that we may have well been at uni!

The fresh transfer from our first cycle did not work, and on reflection, while I dont think it was because of anything I did or did not do, I do think that all the other things I was doing meant that I was more tired and emotional and prob not dealing with the emotional side of things as well as I could. We are just about to have our first frozed transfer... and uni is back. Dh and I are both only doing 1 subject per semester (vs the 2 we have been doing) but I will be scaling other commitments back so that I have some space for IVF and study! Also, I found that our FS was really great with medical certs when I needed to take time off (eg after the OPU) - so discuss that with your FS as you may be able to get a med cert to enable you to get an extension on an assignment, or take a days sick leave if you need time, if the IVF is meaning you can not do everthing you would normally. Dont feel guilty - what we are going through is a medical condition and takes a big physical and mental toll, so use your sick leave.

Hope this helps. As you move through you will work out what you can and cant do, but be kind to yourself but life has to keep going...and so must study . Good luck with uni and IVF

FG
PS - my FS did not use a med cert that made it obvious that we were doing IVF - the cert she used was on hosptial letterhead rather than the IVF clinic and she just put something general for the reason. This helps if you have not told work about what you are doing. It is worth talking to your FS about what certs they use if you are concerned about people finding out.