A mum in Swindon has shared her experiences of IVF treatment and wants to raise awareness of IVF support in the workplace. When Susie Lewinska, 39, married her husband Paul in 2013, the couple were excited to have children together, but with a history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), they knew they were likely to face challenges. In 2014 they were referred for three rounds of IVF on the NHS at TFP Fertility Oxford and the TFP Fertility satellite clinic in Swindon for blood tests and scans.
Following several failed transfers and a miscarriage, they decided to take part in a genetic screening study at the clinic and found that two of the embryos were mosaic, which meant a higher risk of miscarriage, but one was genetically normal. “It became my wonderful baby boy, Eliasz”, said Susie. Eliasz was born in April 2017 and Susie had been juggling treatment, appointments, the disappointment of failed transfers and raising her son, while working in a senior role within a government department.
In 2021 she decided it was time for a change and started a new senior role at the UK Space Agency, where she was pleased to see her new employer had guidelines on supporting women in a similar situation to hers, so she could still hold down her senior role and be a mother. “I found a policy on IVF, a guide for managers and a guide for employees. It was fantastic to see”, Susie explained.
“They even have a guide for managers about what not to say, such as, ‘well, maybe it wasn’t.
