Procedure May Fail, Test Could Be Flawed
Dear Ann Landers: When I read the letter from “Heartbroken in Shreveport, La.,” I knew I had to write because I’m an authority on this subject. “Heartbroken” said her pregnancy test was positive, but her husband insisted the child was not his because he’d had a vasectomy. He then had his sperm count tested, and the lab insisted he was sterile. I can vouch for the fact that tests are not always 100 percent conclusive. Here’s my story:
Nearly three years ago, I was late with my period and scared to death that I had a tumor or, worse yet, cancer. My mother said, “Nonsense. You’re pregnant.” I told her it was impossible because my husband had had a vasectomy 11 years ago. She went out and bought me a home pregnancy test. I was stunned when the test results said I was indeed pregnant. I refused to believe it and made an appointment at once for an ultrasound. I was shocked when I saw the evidence on the screen.
My husband made arrangements for a second vasectomy, but the physician needed a sperm sample (to satisfy the insurance company) before he could perform the operation. Soon after, the physician phoned to say there was no need to do a vasectomy because according to the lab test my husband’s sperm count was zero.
We were both stunned - more evidence that test results can be flawed. I never had sex with any man except my husband - however, not once did he question me because he knew that I was totally faithful.
We now have a beautiful 3-year-old daughter who looks just like my husband, which proves that test results are not always 100 percent accurate. We hope you will pass the word. - Late-in-Life Mother in Indiana
Dear Mother: What a story! You’ve performed a tremendously valuable service by writing to me. The public needs to know that lab tests can be flawed and vasectomies don’t always work. More on this subject soon. It’s a hot topic.
Dear Ann Landers: After reading your column with a pregnant woman’s list of Do’s and Don’ts on the proper things to say - I just had to write.
Why do so many pregnant women think they must instruct the general public on what is or is not acceptable in the way of comments? Who gave badges to those “thought police”?
I had two pregnancies, and both times, I got a big kick out of the comments people made. Yes, I gained more than 80 pounds with each pregnancy and looked like a beached whale. And yes, people asked if I was having sextuplets, but I made an effort to see the humor in it. Each person who took the time to notice and comment gave me the opportunity to share a laugh, which helped me to stop worrying for a few moments that my daughter had not kicked in a long time or that my son was trying to dislocate my hip.
Ann, please tell the expectant mothers out there to lighten up and make an effort to enjoy their pregnancies. It’s never a picnic, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare, either. - D.T., Shreveport, La.
Dear Shreveport: Thank you on behalf of the women in my reading audience. I’ll bet not one male reader in 50 got this far. Most of them quit reading after the first line of your letter and went straight to the Gem of the Day.
Gem of the Day (Credit The Prairie Rambler): What do you get when you play country music backward? First, you get your girl back, then your pickup truck, and finally, you stop drinking.