In the opening scene of American Horror Story: Delicate Season 12 Episode 1, actress Anna Victoria Alcott awakens to discover a stranger has left a gruesome ultrasound in her bed. A week's worth of flashbacks unfold, revealing Anna en route to meet her husband, Dexter, at the fertility clinic. Outside the building, a character named Ivy is seen gazing at a dead bird in a fallen nest. The doctor informs Anna that he has successfully retrieved nine eggs and is optimistic about her chances of conception. Anna departs in pain, commenting on the curious glances from the waiting room and the strange behavior of Mrs. Preecher, who seems to recognize her from somewhere.
That evening, Anna administers a progesterone suppository and plucks a long hair from her head. The next day, during a meeting with her publicist, Siobhan, she autographs the belly of a bizarre doll, discussing her IVF plans. Later that day, strange footsteps follow Anna, but when she turns around, there is no one there. Dr. Hill calls to announce the development of two embryos and that the transfer can proceed in a few days.
Anna chats with Andy Cohen on his show and spots Mrs. Preecher in the audience, which sends shivers down her spine. She then discovers one of her old dolls in her dressing room, finding it oddly ominous. Upon returning home, she senses a stalker and thinks she sees Ivy in the reflection of a large knife.
The following day, Dr. Hill presents Anna and Dexter with a picture of the embryo. During the transfer, Anna catches another glimpse of Mrs. Preecher—this time, she's pulling out her own tongue while Anna's mouth is sewn shut. The episode concludes where it began, in Anna's bed, where she wakes up to find an intruder once again. Realizing the blood is lipstick, she receives a text message urging her to look in the mirror. As she does so, she finds a message etched there: "Don't do it, Anna."
