Navigating Egg Freezing and Work: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re considering freezing your eggs, you might have lots of other priorities going on — including your career. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), egg freezing is a dramatically growing trend, with a 30% year-over-year increase in cycles. 

Still, you might be wondering: Can you work while freezing your eggs? Do you need to take time off? This guide provides actionable strategies to help you manage egg freezing and work, from scheduling appointments to requesting time off for egg freezing.

How will freezing my eggs impact my work schedule?

Balancing egg freezing and work requires some planning, as the process involves hormone injections, frequent monitoring appointments, and the final egg retrieval procedure. Here’s how each stage might impact your work schedule:

Hormone injections

Hormone injections are administered daily for 10 to 14 days, typically in the evening. If you work a standard daytime schedule, you can still go into the office and handle your injections after work. For those who work evening or night shifts, you may need to adjust your hours, work remotely, or take short-term time off for egg freezing. 

If needed, you can even give yourself injections in your office bathroom, as long as you use an alcohol pad to keep the injection area sterile and safely dispose of your needles. Your medication should come with a small sharps container; if you need an extra one for this reason, ask your clinic. 

Fertility medication delivery

If you live in a large city, such as New York or Los Angeles, specialty pharmacies often carry fertility medications for same-day pick-up. In other areas, medications are typically shipped overnight to your home. Since these medications are time-sensitive (and some require refrigeration), you may need to be home to accept the delivery. If you can, schedule delivery on a day you work remotely, take a few hours off, or coordinate the delivery with a trusted friend ro neighbor.

Monitoring appointments

During the 10-14 day stimulation phase, you’ll have a few monitoring appointments to track how your follicles are growing. These appointments usually include ultrasounds and bloodwork and are scheduled directly with the clinic throughout the cycle. Fortunately, most clinics offer early-morning appointments, allowing more flexibility. You’ll need to plan your schedule to accommodate these visits.

Egg retrieval procedure

The egg retrieval procedure itself is minimally invasive and you won’t need to be at the clinic for more than a few hours, but we highly recommend taking the day off work so you can rest after the procedure. Most people feel well enough to resume work the next day, but it’s wise to block off  time around your projected retrieval date in case you want or need extra time to recover. 

Can you work while freezing your eggs?

The short answer is yes. Most women continue working full time during their egg-freezing cycle. However, it requires flexibility and proactive communication with your team. Here are some tips to help you navigate egg freezing and work seamlessly:

1. Talk to your employer: If you feel comfortable, let your manager or HR team know that you are undergoing a medical procedure that requires temporary flexibility. Be clear about your needs, such as the ability to work remotely or adjust your hours. If you don’t want to disclose specifics, you can simply say you are undergoing a “medical treatment” without mentioning egg freezing.
2. Block off key dates: Once your cycle begins, you’ll have an estimated timeline for your appointments and egg retrieval. Block off your calendar for early-morning monitoring visits and plan to take the day off for the egg retrieval. Since the exact timing of your retrieval depends on how your body responds to the hormone injections, be prepared to adjust your schedule with short notice. It’s a good idea to communicate this need for flexibility to your manager, as well as your peers or direct reports, in advance.
3. Work ahead: I know this is easier said than done, but if possible, complete high-priority tasks in advance to reduce stress during your cycle.
4. Be strategic about remote work: If your company allows remote work, use it to your advantage during the two-week egg freezing cycle. Working from home can help you stay more comfortable and manage any potential side effects from your hormone medications, like fatigue, bloating, or emotional changes.
5. Understand benefits and FMLA: You’ll want to understand your company’s benefits to see what type of resources and/or support you’re entitled to (if any) for an egg freezing cycle. Plus, if you work for a company with 50 or more employees, you may qualify for unpaid, job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). While FMLA doesn’t explicitly cover egg freezing, it may apply if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Check your workplace policies and consult HR to understand your rights.
6. Leverage team support: If your workload feels overwhelming, it might be beneficial to fill in a trusted colleague or two, so you can coordinate coverage if needed. Or, at the very least, have a shoulder to lean on. 

Self-Care Strategies During Egg Freezing and Work

If balancing work, life, and an egg freezing cycle feels stressful, try these self-care strategies to stay healthy and reduce anxiety:

Manage side effects

For some people, hormone injections can cause bloating, mood swings, and fatigue. Stay hydrated, eat nutritious meals, and get plenty of rest to help manage these symptoms. I highly recommend avoiding tight clothes. Keep comfortable clothes and snacks on hand, especially if you’re working from the office.

Prioritize work-life balance

Set boundaries during your egg-freezing cycle. Limit after-hours work commitments, and allow yourself time to rest and recover after appointments and your egg retrieval.

Stress management

Incorporate stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, or gentle exercise into your routine. Even a short walk during your lunch break can help clear your mind.

Lean on your support system

Share your experience with trusted friends, family members, or online support groups. Connecting with others who have undergone egg freezing can provide reassurance and practical advice. At Cofertility, we provide all members with access to our private online community, filled with tips, guidance, and a built-in support system. 

How Cofertility can help

If you’re considering freezing your eggs, we can help simplify the process. In addition to providing the opportunity to freeze your eggs for free when you donate half the eggs retrieved to another family that can’t otherwise conceive, Cofertility offers resources to connect our members with trusted clinics, provides educational materials, and fosters a supportive community. Whether you need guidance on scheduling, medication delivery, or balancing egg freezing and work, we’re here to be a helpful partner on your journey.

Summing it up

With proper planning and support, freezing eggs while working full-time is entirely achievable. By understanding how the process impacts your schedule, communicating your needs with your employer, and prioritizing self-care, you can successfully balance both. Whether you need time off for the egg retrieval or flexible hours for monitoring appointments, being proactive will ensure a smoother experience. 

With resources like Cofertility and support from loved ones, you can take control of your reproductive future while thriving in your professional life. To see if you qualify for our Split program that provides free egg freezing, take our one-minute quiz here.