Paternity Testing: Who is the Likely Father? - Obstetrics and Gynecology

More Info

---

Understanding paternity testing and determining the likely father in a situation involving multiple sexual partners can be complex. In your case, the timeline and details you provided are crucial for understanding the probabilities involved.

Based on the information given, you had your last menstrual period starting on April 19, and you had sexual encounters with two men, A and B, around your ovulation period. Ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of your next menstrual period, which would likely place it around May 3 or 4 in your case.
1. Timing of Intercourse:
- You had intercourse with A on May 1, which is one day before ovulation. This timing is significant because sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days. Therefore, sperm from A could potentially fertilize an egg released during ovulation.

- You had intercourse with B on May 2, 3, and 13. However, since B had a vasectomy in January and a subsequent sperm count test in April showed zero sperm, it is highly unlikely that he could father a child. Vasectomy is a highly effective form of contraception, but it is important to note that it can take some time for all remaining sperm to clear from the reproductive tract after the procedure.

2. Likelihood of Pregnancy:
- Given that A had a viable sperm count and the timing of intercourse was just before ovulation, if pregnancy were to occur, A would be the likely father.
- Since B has been confirmed to have a sperm count of zero, if he were to undergo testing again and the results still show zero sperm, it would further confirm that he could not be the biological father of any child conceived during this time.

3. Paternity Testing:
- If a pregnancy occurs, the most definitive way to determine paternity would be through DNA testing after the child is born. Paternity tests are highly accurate and can definitively establish the biological father of a child.

- In the case of a pregnancy, if you were to test the child’s DNA against A's and B's, the results would show a clear biological connection to A if he is indeed the father.

4. Conclusion:
- Based on the information provided, if you become pregnant, the likelihood of A being the father is significantly higher than B, especially considering B's vasectomy and confirmed lack of sperm. If B's sperm count remains at zero, it would be almost impossible for him to be the father.

In summary, while the timing of intercourse with A aligns with the ovulation period, and given B's medical history, A is the more likely father if a pregnancy occurs. For absolute certainty, a paternity test after the child’s birth would provide definitive answers. If you have further questions or concerns about this situation, it may be beneficial to consult with a healthcare provider or a genetic counselor who can provide more personalized guidance.