As part of Fertility February we’re shining a spotlight on the enhanced support that we offer our staff undergoing fertility treatment, following the launch of our new Compassionate Leave Policy earlier this year.

Abbie, a Clinical Sister in UHCW NHS Trust’s General Critical Care team, experienced an ectopic pregnancy and went through multiple rounds of IVF and has shared her story about the support she received and how she believes the new policy will make a positive impact for other colleagues.

Abbie said: “IVF is difficult mentally, physically and financially. If I didn’t have a supportive workplace it would be impossible to go through.

“I was lucky that my line manager was really supportive from the beginning of my journey as at the time there wasn’t much awareness of how staff should be managed and time off should be approached; it was a grey area.

“When you start trying for a baby you don’t realise that it’s going to be such a journey and I was naïve to the IVF process. It changes you massively, I didn’t realise how much the hormone treatment would affect me both physically and mentally.

“Once I went to an appointment and lots of my follicles were ready to be harvested the next day when I was due to be at work; so I had to take emergency annual leave. This was hard as I wanted to save my leave for when I did get pregnant so I could spend time with my baby.

“Throughout my journey I was really open with my colleagues however I do understand that others may not feel the same way so having a supportive organisation that shows you respect to undergo fertility treatment in your own way really helps.

“I finally got pregnant with my twins and they were like the department babies. My two little miracles are crazy but amazing.

“I think the new policy is really positive and will make such a big difference to people at the Trust experiencing the same things I did. It also helps raise awareness around fertility treatment and provides reassurance that many people go through it and you’re not alone.”

You can find out more about the launch of the policy and how we’re putting the health and wellbeing of Team UHCW first, by reading our article in the National Health Executive.