QuestionQUESTION: I recently got a phone call from an ex-girlfriend and she informed me that she was pregnant and that it is mine. I went into shock and battled with it for a couple days but decided that I would step-up. We went and got an ultra-sound and found out she was 10 weeks and 2 days. We went back to an alternate office a week and 5 days later and she was, as expected, 12 weeks along. The due date was informed to us as being December 25, 2007. The next day my sister called me, already being informed of the due date, and said it is probably not mine. Reason being, we last had sex on the 24 of March, 2007 (our last day as a couple as well); while the conception date was April 3, 2007 and the beginning of her last menstrual period on March 20, 2007. Can you offer me any information to solidify my observation and analysis???
ANSWER: I agree; if the conception date was April 3, you could not be the father. However, sperm can survive in a woman for up to 5 days before fertilization occurs. Because both of her ultrasounds were after 10 weeks, there is a margin of error in their calculation of the conception date. If conception occurred as early as March 29 (only 5 days off), then you would still be in the running.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you! Therefore I should not feel guilty about not accompanying her through the pregnancy because it can not be mine. Just for one last clarification. Her due date has been told to her twice from two different ultra-sounds as being December 25, 2007, one at 10 weeks 2 days and one at 12 weeks. From this due date it has been calculated that the conception date is April 3rd and the beginning of the first menstrual cycle as March 20th. The last time I had intercourse with her was March 24th. As a result, I am not the father. Correct?
Also, just so she can realize the facts and begin dealing with who is the real father; she is in denial and keeps convincing herself that the two weeks added to the progress of the baby (i.e. 12 weeks or 10 weeks 2 days)is the exact age of the baby with no inclusion of the beginning of the last menstrual cycle (March 20). Leading her to believe the baby was conceived on ar around March 20, and making her feel I am the father. Which anyone who understands the process of conception can dismiss such beliefs.
AnswerYou are correct.
Methods of dating pregnancy originated in the days before doctors were able to detect ovulation. Since the average woman ovulates two weeks after her last period, pregnancies are still considered to be two weeks along as of the date of conception, purely by convention. So when your ex-girlfriend had an ultrasound dating her at 10 weeks 2 days, she was actually only 8 weeks and 2 days past conception. Will this help clear it up for her?
