A significant number of couples are uncertain about the paternity of a child they are expecting. According to the DNA Diagnostics Centre (DDC), a worldwide paternity test provider, it receives approximately 400,000 calls annually from concerned couples. Although paternity testing is easy to do with a cheek swab after a child is born, the waiting game can be one that causes a significant level of stress. There are multiple options for performing a paternity test during pregnancy. Here are five things you should know before you choose one.
1. Invasive Testing Methods Are No Longer the Only Option.
Up until recent years, the two methods for determining paternity prior to the birth of the child were unpleasant and risky. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling both come with a risk for miscarriage and are painful or uncomfortable for the mother. Modern technology has developed a non-invasive method that can detect the child’s blood within the mother’s blood. The procedure involves only a small blood sample from both parents and is highly reliable.
2. Non-invasive Prenatal Testing Is Affordable.
A non-invasive test performed during pregnancy is simple and requires only a blood sample from the mother and assumed father. The mother’s blood contains markers from the baby’s blood and can be used to verify paternity. This test can vary from a few hundred dollars to over one thousand. If finances create a hardship, there are payment plan options, and some locations offer a non-certified test which is often around $250. This option will provide accurate results but cannot be used for legal purposes such as child support.
3. A Paternity Test Cannot Determine the Due Date.
A paternity test can only verify that two individuals are related, genetically. While this may help a couple determine the window for conception, the answer is not that simple. Fertilization can take days, and even an ultrasound provides only an estimated due date, based on the size of the baby. Only a small percentage of women give birth on their due date, so an estimate is all that is necessary.
4. Paternity Test Results Are Available Quickly.
In most cases, the turnaround time on a paternity test during pregnancy that is performed at the lab or doctor’s office is three to five business days. When urgency is important, special accommodations can often be made. If the sample is collected at home and mailed in using a home DNA testing kit, the process can take a few days longer while the materials travel through the postal system. Generally, the wait time is approximately one week.
5. Your Paternity Test Information Is Protected.
When you choose a reputable company that guarantees your privacy, you can be confident that your information is safe. You can designate those who may have access to your information and the test results.
If you are considering a paternity test during pregnancy but have reservations, talk with a Legal DNA testing counselor. He or she can help you make an informed decision that benefits your child and your family.
