Just say no
Phone conversation between one of my staff and a patient’s husband who was a former competitive athlete and who admitted to taking "a whole lot of steroids" in the past.
STAFF: Hello, Mr. ___ . This is ___ from Dr (IVF-MD)’s office. We have the results of your sperm test back from this morning. I’m calling you now to let you know that the count is normal, but the motility is a little low. The doctor will be calling you shortly to explain the significance of all this and to answer your questions. OK?
PATIENT: OK. Ma’am, can I ask you a question?
STAFF: Sure, I’ll try.
PATIENT: My buddy told me that it was the guy who determines whether the baby is a boy or a girl. Is that true?
STAFF: Well, if you mean is it the sperm that controls whether it’s a boy or girl, yes. If it’s a sperm with an X-chromosome, it will make a girl and if it’s a sperm with a Y-chromosome, it will make a boy. The woman’s egg always provides an X-chromosome.
PATIENT: Oh (pause). So it IS true? That it’s the guy that controls the sex of the baby?
STAFF: Yes, basically.
PATIENT: Oh OK. So how do I do that?
STAFF: Do what?
PATIENT: Pick the sex of the baby.
STAFF: Er…well actually, you can’t choose. It’s just that the sperm is the determinant.
PATIENT: I don’t get it.
STAFF: It is the sperm that determines the sex, but you can’t voluntarily control that. (Thinks to herself "Well not without IVF/PGD anyway", but decides not to say it)
PATIENT: Well, we’d like a boy. So can you tell me how I can determine a boy?
STAFF: Er…you have to just hope it’s a Y sperm that gets the egg.
PATIENT: (Pause). You mean my friend was lying?
STAFF: Well..er…(pause). Yeah.
PATIENT: Ha! That’s what I thought. He does that to me all the time. OK, thank you ma’am.
STAFF: (sighs) OK, sir. Have a nice day! Please call us if you have any more questions.
