5 Ways to Lower Anxiety While Navigating Fertility Treatments or Pregnancy Care

If you’ve ever had to wait for “the call” from your doctor, you know how long a single afternoon can feel. 

Whether you’re following the regular rhythm of pregnancy monitoring or navigating fertility treatment and testing, these 5 tips can help manage anxiety effectively.

1. Clarify the meaning of “please call us back” ahead of time.

Voicemails that say “please call us back” can be intensely anxiety-provoking. 

If you’re waiting for results, ask ahead of time: “Do you leave results on voicemail, or do you always ask that I call back?”

Some offices will even let you choose your preference. 

Knowing what to expect can stop you from spiraling.  

2. Understand the style of your sonographer.

Some sonographers (and doctors) are extremely animated, narrating every single thing they see as if they are watching their favorite movie. And some prefer to work in dead silence, only to then leave the room and call the doctor in to tell you everything seemed fine.

This difference often has more to do with personality than protocol. 

Asking, “Will you describe what you’re seeing, or do you prefer to work quietly?” can spare you the stress of trying to decode what every red and blue flickering wave on the screen means.

3. Narrow the waiting window for results.

Some offices can call past 7 pm, while others have set schedules, like reviewing results every day at 1 pm. Asking about it can shrink your “waiting window” from an entire day to just a couple of hours. 

Instead of being glued to your phone from 8 am to 8 pm, you can give your nervous system longer, much-needed breaks.  

4. Avoid unnecessary worry about silent results.

Not all offices call to share normal results, and forgetting to clarify this can lead to needless worry. A quick “Do you call even if everything is normal?” can prevent hours, or days, of unnecessary rumination.  

5. It's ok to be pushy.

Calling to check for cancellations, offering to wait for a squeeze-in appointment, or emphasizing time sensitivity can often speed things up. 

Being vocal can save you days of otherwise added panic and anxiety.

You don’t need to be rude, just transparent.

You’d be surprised how often people are inclined to help when you are clear and direct about what you need.

Navigating the medical world when you’re in such a raw and tender state, emotionally and physically, can be overwhelming. Especially if asserting yourself and speaking up is something you already struggle with.

When you’re going through it, support isn’t a luxury. It’s a foundation.

My work focuses on helping women feel steadier in exactly these moments, so they can navigate their care without losing themselves in the anxiety.

Kate Winkler works with individuals and couples who reside in NJ. Click here to book your first session.