Has anyone stayed in a psychologically unhealthy government role because IVF/maternity leave made leaving too risky?
I’m 35, work in a high-pressure NSW Government role, and I’m currently undergoing IVF while also trying to leave a job that’s become psychologically unsustainable for me.
I feel completely trapped in this awful loop:
• I can’t easily quit because IVF is expensive and I need income/security (plus future maternity leave if IVF works)
• but the job itself is contributing massively to my stress and burnout
• and job searching/interviewing while doing IVF hormones has become emotionally brutal too.
I’ve reached the point where even emails and Teams notifications trigger anxiety, but I’m also terrified of making impulsive decisions that could hurt me financially or professionally long-term.
I guess I’m asking:
Has anyone else been through this kind of overlapping burnout/fertility/career crisis? Did you pause job applications and just survive for a while? Did leave help? How did you stop feeling completely trapped?
Not really looking for legal advice, more just perspective from people who’ve been through something similar.