Going to the doctor can be uncomfortable enough, but sometimes trying to make it less awkward ends up making it so much worse. Here’s one of my most embarrassing moments at a pelvic exam…

I get very nervous during pelvic exams. Years ago, my lovely doctor gave me a helpful tip: “If you want to get your mind off of it, concentrate on wiggling your toes. It’ll help distract you.”

It actually worked, and I’ve done it ever since.

Fast forward a few years, I had to switch doctors. So there I am—feet in the stirrups—trying to stay calm, wiggling my toes like usual.

Suddenly, I hear him clear his throat and, with the most uncomfortable tone, he asks, “Are you… enjoying this or something?”

I turn bright red. Mortified, I quickly blurt out an explanation: “Oh no! My old doctor told me to wiggle my toes to distract myself during exams. It’s just a habit!”

He just stared at me like I was the weirdest person he’d ever met.

Needless to say, that appointment was super awkward.