QuestionHello, I have a question I was hoping you could help me
with. On October 8,2009 I had a second daughter. I was out
of the country until February 22, 2009 and on that day my
spouse and I had intercourse based on the date of
intercourse is it possible to have a baby due on that date?
The baby weighed in at 6 lbs 10 ounces and was about a week
early according to the doctors. Also, I took a paternity
test and it said I was not the father but the mother insists
I am. The baby does look like and even has the same cleft
on her chin that I do and my other daughter has it too. I
think the baby is mine based on looks but why then would it
not come up with my half of the DNA? Is is possible that I
am still the father based on date of conception? Thank you
for your help.
AnswerHello Mark from the U.S.,
Due dates and dates of conception are approximate only. They are not exact. However, paternity tests are exact, unless the lab made a mistake with the specimen. Now a days, most labs do more than simple paternity testing by blood type like they used to, but rather, use DNA testing. As you know, DNA testing is used to convict criminals because they are so exact.
If the paternity of this child is important to you, then query the lab regarding the results to make sure the specimen was not mixed up, what type of test was done, and how accurate the labs says it is. If you want, you can repeat the test to make sure. If it is not your child, what will you do? Will it change anything? If you are happy with the mother and child, I would recommend that you not pursue this further.
Sorry,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf
