Q:Could this be a phantom pregnancy?
Dear Dr. Mel
Is it possible to get a phantom pregnancy? My bf fingered me after touching himself and he may have had sperm on his finger.
I've had some early pregnancy symptoms like bleeding and morning sickness. I told my Mum and she said they wouldn't show up straight away. But I'm still worried. Is there any chance I could be pregnant?
Chelsea, 16
A: Dear Chelsea,
A phantom pregnancy? They exist, alright. I've met people so convinced, they've felt kicking inside. And switched to maternity jeans.
We get the symptoms of pregnancy:
• Sickness
• Sore boobs
• Messed up/absent periods
• Tummy bloating
But there's just one thing missing: the bun in the oven.
So why does it happen? Look back at the list of symptoms. Not one is exclusive to pregnancy. If I'd been knocked up every time I got sore boobs or sickness, I'd need a tower block for all the little weeners.
Sometimes we get pregnancy on the brain, whether we really want a baby or we really don't. Then we notice every sick feeling. We stress out. And our period messes up.
Playing with sticky fingers is risky. But it's not easy getting pregnant this way. Even if he had freshly ejaculated on his hands then put the whole lot right up inside you. The odds are on your side.
So two bits of advice:
1 Get some certainty. It's called a pregnancy test. You can take it from the first day your period is due. And it costs a tenner at the chemist. Or comes free from your GP. Fingers crossed.
2 Next time insist on clean hands. And do without the worry.
PS - Most of us would give anything for a mum as cool as yours. A mum we can tell about sex. Who listens. And gives sound advice. Nice one.
*Dr Mel is a GP in east London
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