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Can you get a DNA test while still pregnant?
Can you get a DNA test while still pregnant?
With the increase of men and women wanting to know who’s the father? of their new born child. There is a growing segment of people who want to know the paternity of the child before the child is born.
So the question is, can a DNA test be performed before the child is born? Yes! But there are few things you need to know to consider before walking this path.
The first thing you need to know is there are 3 options you have at your disposal.
Option 1. Amniocentesis
Option 2. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Option 3. Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Testing.
I will briefly break down each option for better clarity if you are unfamiliar with these terms.
An amniocentesis is a test that helps to detect possible defects in an unborn fetus. The process requires a needle be inserted into the mother’s stomach region until it reaches fluid sac. Once there, amniotic fluid is extracted.
If a mother is considering having this procedure performed and she is concerned about the paternity of her unborn child. She can utilize this opportunity to have a DNA paternity test performed.
If you are in need of paternity testing service appointment visit IDTO DNA Testing Center or, Call 877-680-5800 today.
Unfortunately, this procedure can not be performed for paternity testing reasons alone. It also important to note this a very risky procedure that can cause miscarriages. Consulting with your OBGYN is always recommended.
This procedure can be performed from the 15th to 20th week for a higher frequency of success.
Chorionic Villus Sampling
Is similar to amniocentesis in function meaning this process is also used to detect whether a child has chromosome abnormalities and defects. This process can be performed during the 10th-13th weeks of pregnancy. Although there are times where this process is performed around the 8 week mark.
What this process entails is the insertion of needle into the abdomen and the needle is navigated until it reaches the placenta. Once there the OBGYN will remove apart of the placental tissue. As with the amniocentesis this procedure can not be used for paternity testing alone. It can only be done if your OBGYN has considered CVS as an option to detect an abnormality.
Please make sure you consult your OBGYN to discuss your options or, contact IDTO DNA testing Center to learn more about the paternity testing process.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test
The last option is, known as a Non-invasive Prenatal Paternity Test. I know since the ending of 2017 and all of 2018 many women have contacted our office to inquire about NIPP.
What this basically entails is a blood draw from the mother and a buccal swab from the alleged father. The testing lab that performs this test will be analyzing the fetal cells of the fetus floating in the mother’s blood stream.
The difference between the option 3 and the other 2 options is there is no known risk to the unborn fetus outside of cleanliness of the facility that will be extracting the blood from the mother. Option 1 & 2 are considered invasive methods and have a much higher risk of having the mother miscarry.
It is important for me to also mention based on my research. Amniocentesis and CVS, although risky, both methods have high rates of success. I implore you to do your own research on the topic if you are uncertain about either procedure. Of the two, CVS has a slightly higher risk of miscarriage.
Is NIPP the best option?
The answer to this question is one only you can answer. What I will say is this. NIPP is a new procedure that was introduced to the public in 2011 by a University Professor in China. The majority of DNA testing laboratories in the U.S. do not offer this particular service due to the uncertainty of the technology. As I was told by several Lab Directors on several occasions, there is not enough evidence of the overall accuracy and efficiency of NIPP. To my knowledge, there are only two labs in the U.S. that perform this service.
Can a Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test result be used in court?
At this current time, No. This type of paternity test can only be categorized as a peace of mind DNA test. So, the question an alleged father will need to ask himself is, Is it worth it to pay over $1200 for a DNA test that can not be used for any legal purpose. Or, wait for the child to be born and have the child’s sample collected days after the birth of the child.
Conclusion:
I believe there is a scenario in which NIPP can be useful. One is if the alleged father is deceased and you may need to prove paternity under a specific time constraint. Outside of this, I believe performing a paternity test when a child is born and, it is it’s own living, breathing entity will garner the highest accuracy of proof of a biological relationship.
Remember, the NIPP technology cannot be used if the mother is carrying twins. Also, if a mother is performing a NIPP test on her second and/or third child. The result would not be accurate. I am sure the lab you choose will inform you of this possibility. If not, and you are reading this article make sure you inquire about this with the lab of your choice’s representative before performing this expensive paternity test.
If you are in need of paternity testing services appointment visit IDTO DNA Testing Center or Call 877-680-5800 today.