Pregnant — And Don't Know Who the Father Is
- When several men are involved, it can be challenging to determine who the father could be.
- Your gynecologist can help you in finding the answer to this question.
- Pre or postnatal testing can provide absolute certainty about who the father is.
Take the Test:🙎🏻♂️Acknowledging Paternity: How do I navigate issues with the dad?
Want to know more about naming the baby dad on the birth certificate? Go to Acknowledging Paternity
Acknowledging Paternity: How do I navigate issues with the dad? - Your Self-Evaluation
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Pregnant — Narrowing Down Who the Father Could Be
Frantically trying to figure out when this baby was conceived? And with whom? First of all, let’s narrow down the number of potential fathers. This might help to dispel some of your concerns.
Calculating the Date of Conception
Pregnancies can only occur when a man and a woman have sexual intercourse during the woman's fertile window.
- Ovulation, i.e., the fertile window, takes place about 14 days before the next menstrual period.
- The egg can only be fertilized during a 12 to 18-hour window.
- However, sperm can survive in the female body for up to five days.
This means that a baby can only be conceived during this time period.
For more information, go to: How Does Pregnancy Happen?
Calculating your week of pregnancy may help you find answers:
- 🗓 “How far along am I?” Find out with our Pregnancy Tracker
An Appointment With Your Gynecologist (OB/GYN)
The possible window of conception can be additionally narrowed down through a gynecological examination, either by testing your hormone levels, checking the development of the uterus, or by determining fetal age via ultrasound.
Paternity Test - How Soon Is This Possible?
Paternity tests can provide clarity with relative certainty. There are several methods available pre- and postnatally.
Some countries have laws restricting paternity tests, legally limiting tests until after birth or only with a court order. In the United States, Canada and Australia, paternity testing is unrestricted, allowing even fathers to test their children without the mother’s consent. Home paternity tests are readily available. In England, paternity testing must be performed by accredited labs.
NOTE: In all countries, test results can only be used for legal purposes if performed in a recognized laboratory.
Prenatal Paternity Tests (During Pregnancy):
- Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP):
This test is the most accurate non-invasive way to establish paternity before the baby is born. It requires only a simple blood collection from the mother and alleged father and can be performed any time after the 8th week of pregnancy. - Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS):
This test is performed by inserting a thin needle or tube in the vagina and through the cervix to obtain chorionic villi. These are little, finger-like pieces of tissue attached to the uterine wall, which have the same genetic makeup as the baby. This testing can be performed starting at the 10th week of pregnancy. - Amniocentesis:
This test is performed in the second trimester, after the 14th week of pregnancy. During this procedure, the doctor uses ultrasound to guide a thin needle into the uterus and take a sample of amniotic fluid for testing.
Invasive prenatal paternal testing involves the risk of fetal harm or miscarriage and is therefore not recommended.
Postnatal Testing (After the Baby’s Birth)
- Blood Tests
Paternity tests are usually performed by collecting blood from the umbilical cord or by taking a blood sample later. - Buccal Swab
Buccal (cheek swab) DNA samples can also be used to compare mother, father, and child.
As the mother, you have the right to demand a test in court, if necessary.
- For more information on paternity, go to Acknowledgement of Paternity.
Pregnant and Two Possible Fathers - Where Do I Go From Here?
It may take a little while until you establish paternity. Here are some suggestions on how you could deal with this challenging situation.
Whom Do I Tell?
This is the central question for most women: Which one of the potential fathers should I tell about the pregnancy? Should I even tell anyone? There are several options...
Ask yourself whom you hope the father to be. Who would be willing to take on this responsibility? He may be most deserving of being the first one to know. Including him immediately would help him adapt to this situation and allow him to gradually take on the father’s role.
Depending on the situation, you may want to inform both men since the matter of paternity is still unclear.
In order to know what is best, take both your feelings and your thoughts into consideration.
Distinguishing Between Biological Father, Legal Guardian, and Dad
Biological Father
Biological paternity is linked to legal rights and responsibilities, such as visitation rights and the obligation to pay child support. If these rights and duties are exercised well, fatherhood could work, even if the parents are not in a relationship.
Legal Father
Legal guardianship is not necessarily determined by the date of conception or biological fatherhood. In most countries, the husband is legally presumed to be the child's father unless paternity is established, proving otherwise.
Dad
Taking on the father role does not necessitate biological “credentials” but can sometimes be made "official" by an acknowledgment of paternity statement.
- 👤 What is your personality type and how does it affect your pregnancy? -Take the Personality Test
Pregnant Without a Father
This article may be gut-wrenching because none of the potential fathers are willing to be a parent. You are getting zero support. You may wonder how you can make it through this pregnancy or whether you should even have this baby...
You may like:
- Test and article: 🧔🏻♂️How do I react if he does not want the baby?
- Relationship Status: It's Complicated - Read how to make a good decision despite difficult circumstances!
- Feel like you need immediate direction? Take the First Aid Test!
Father Unknown: Where to Go From Here
Perhaps this pregnancy was the result of a one-night stand. You may not really know him or know how to get in touch with him. Feel free to refer to our article: Pregnant From a ONS or take the test: 👩❤️👨 Pregnant from an affair — Now what?
Here are three things you can do:
- 🕰 Take the time and space you need to deal with this situation. Only then start seeking solutions.
- 💪🏻 You have much more courage, stamina, and resources than you can recognize while blinded by fears! Leaning on your strengths will enable you to find a path that aligns with your convictions. Unsure of what your strengths are? Take the Strengths Finder Test!
- 💡 Would you like some judgment free support in addressing a specific concern? Take the Solutions Finder Test!
⚖️ Wondering whether to have an abortion or not? – Take the Abortion Test
You may also like:
- Pregnant and (Potentially) Single Mom
- Pregnant and In an Unstable Relationship
- Establishing Paternity
Sources:
Non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPP): American Pregnancy Association (24.12.2021).
Paternity Testing: Labcorp (24.12.2021).
DNA Paternity Test: Cleveland Clinic (24.12.2021).
Calculating Conception: American Pregnancy Association (24.12.2021).
What is the difference between a legal father and a biological father? Law Info (24.12.2021).