Q: Good morning, I need an answer. Please. I gave birth to my 7 month-old baby last August 24, 2019. Then I got my period from September 29 to October 4 (very light period) but it takes almost 4 days. After that, me and my husband made love on Oct 6. He didn’t wear a condom, and I’m not taking pills. He just did a ‘withdrawal’. And he didn’t ejaculate it in my private area. I know that, and he knows that. Is there any possibility that I got pregnant? Last week, I experienced a jelly discharge, and milky discharge. And I thought I was just ovulating. Please I need an answer.

A: Withdrawal method involves pulling the male organ out of the vagina just before ejaculation. This method may protect against pregnancy if used well. It has been argued in some quarters that the pre-ejaculate (a lubricating fluid) may contain some sperm cells and so even if your partner is able to withdraw before ejaculation, the harm would have been done. However, the sperm in the pre-ejaculate is not there at the time the fluid is produced, but is sperm from previous ejaculations that was probably left in the urethra. It is believed that urinating and cleaning the tip of the penis before sexual intercourse helps to clear the urethra of the sperm left from previous ejaculations.

So, is it possible that you could get pregnant with this method of contraception? The answer is yes.  I suggest that you visit your doctor for confirmation of pregnancy – though most GPs would ask that you wait until you actually miss your period. Then, if you are not pregnant, I suggest that you visit a family planning clinic for help with choosing a means of contraception. 

All the best!