Pregnancy Q and A Forum - Determining paternity with beta Hcg

Pregnancy Forum > Pregnancy Q and A Forum > Determining paternity with beta Hcg

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Q: Determining paternity with beta Hcg

asked by: DoctorQuestion on August 14th, 2009

I posted a question whether I am the father. My girlfriend finished her period on the 27th of June and we had sex for the first time on the 2nd of July. Her quantitative results were 2110 which falls into the 6 week cycle. Is it possible that she fell pregnant 5 days after her period, and how accurate are these tests. I am going to take her for a scan soon, but for the most accurate results, how far along should she be?

Replies(2)

Dr. Andrijana Shterjovska , MD

replied on August 21st, 2009

Pregnancy Q and A Answer A7090

Beta HCG (human choriogonadotropin) is a hormone that is created in pregnancy. The levels of this particular hormone tend to double approximately every two days for the first four weeks of pregnancy. However, there is extremely wide range in different pregnancies and therefore it cannot be used to establish the gestational age of a pregnancy. The tests are pretty accurate, because they are quantitative and show the exact level of beta HCG in the blood.

However, please keep in mind that this hormone can be produced in the absence of an embryo, although it is usually produced by the cells of an implanting egg.

The only way to be sure whether you are the father of the baby is to take a paternity test. You might want to visit a gynecologist to consult about the results of the quantitative beta HCG and acquire additional information about the paternity issue.

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Comments (1)

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