FM8.8-9 | Pregnancy, Delivery & Disputed Parentage — Summary & Reflection

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Signs of pregnancy are classified presumptive (amenorrhoea, morning sickness, Chadwick's sign), probable (uterine enlargement, Hegar's sign, positive hCG test), and positive (foetal heart sounds, foetal movements felt by examiner, ultrasound). Superfecundation (different paternity in twins) is biologically plausible; superfoetation in humans is considered impossible. Precipitate labour (delivery within 3 hours) explains unattended birth but not failure to care for a live-born child. Recent delivery is recognised by uterine involution, lochia, breast changes, perineal signs, and dilated os; remote delivery by parous os, old striae, and healed perineal scars. In disputed paternity cases, STR-DNA analysis is the gold standard; blood groups can only exclude, not establish, paternity. Legal presumption of legitimacy (IEA Section 112) must be considered before ordering DNA testing.

REFLECT

A court case involves a widow who delivered a child 10 months after her husband's death. The family contests the child's right to inherit, claiming the child is not the deceased husband's. The IEA Section 112 presumption applies if delivery occurred within 280 days. You are called as an expert to advise on: (1) whether delivery at 10 months post-death is biologically compatible with conception before death; (2) what testing could be ordered to resolve the dispute; and (3) what limitations apply to such testing. Draft your response.