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Pregnancy options
Abortion two weeks after sex -- Possible?
Originally Published: October 24, 1997
 

Dear Alice,

I have a question concerning intercourse. A friend of mine entered his girlfriend, and after 30 seconds, felt uneasy and withdrew. He did not noticeably come inside her, but she had masturbated him earlier that night. Two weeks later she told him that she had gotten pregnant off the affair and had had an abortion. As experts, is this possible? I told my friend that the possibility of existing semen on the penis at the time of penetration may have caused fertilization, or that he may have excreted pre-ejaculate unknowingly. What are your thoughts?

Donnie

 

Dear Donnie,

Your two hypotheses about what could have happened are possible: sperm may have been in your friend's pre-ejaculate, and he may have come without realizing it.

In addition, pregnancy tests can be positive within 7 - 10 days after conception. Perhaps, his girlfriend went to a health care provider who was willing to do a pregnancy termination procedure immediately. However, the usual time at which to do an abortion is about 6 weeks after the last menstrual period.

More likely, his girlfriend may have used emergency contraception, the morning after pill. This, however, is not an abortion. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy from taking place.

Regardless of what exactly happened, or how your friend's girlfriend got pregnant, he needs to consider the question of trust. How trustworthy is his girlfriend? Does she have a reason to be less than honest with him? Is this a long-term relationship, or a relatively new one?

Your friend deserves credit for being true to his feelings and withdrawing. Protection with a condom, or having outercourse with his girlfriend, or not having sex with her at all, might have made him feel more comfortable.

If your friend is at school, it would be good for him to talk with someone at the health service for additional information and support.

Alice

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