Parents who will have the baby have numerous questions in their minds. Genetic testing has undergone a radical transformation because of developments in medical technology. Additionally, there has been a notable advancement in paternity testing, often done after birth. Is it possible to establish paternity when a woman is still pregnant? This is one frequent query. Prenatal paternity testing, which can establish ancestral ties and provide answers earlier in the pregnancy process, has drawn interest.
This article examines prenatal paternity tests during pregnancy from a scientific, methodological, ethical, and practical standpoint. We hope to shed light on this developing topic and equip readers with a thorough understanding by evaluating the advantages and limitations as well as addressing ethical and medical concerns.
Noninvasive prenatal paternity (NIPP)
This noninvasive test is the most accurate way to establish paternity during pregnancy. It involves taking a blood sample from the alleged father and the mother to conduct a fetal cell analysis. A genetic profile compares the fetal cells present in the mother's bloodstream to the alleged father's. The result is more than 99 percent accurate. The test can also be performed after the 8th week of pregnancy.
Amniocentesis
An amniocentesis test may be performed between weeks 14 and 20 of your pregnancy. Typically, this invasive diagnostic test is used to detect neural tube defects, chromosome abnormalities, and genetic disorders.
Your doctor will use a long, thin needle to take a sample of amniotic fluid from your uterus through your abdomen. The DNA collected will be compared to a DNA sample from the potential father. Results are 99 percent accurate for establishing paternity.
Amniocentesis carries a small risk of miscarriage, which can be caused by premature labor, water breaking, or infection.
The Risks
Postnatal DNA tests carry no risks, although they are either a cheek swab or a blood sample. Though, taking any blood sample with a needle does pose the highly unlikely risk of a hand getting used more than once. It isn't worth mentioning such a risk as any reputable company will have safeguards against such accidents, but it is not impossible.
The real risk is prenatal paternity testing because whichever way you obtain these DNA samples, it involves a very invasive procedure. Whether testing placental cells or amniotic fluid, a needle is passed through the abdomen and into the womb.
The procedures can not be performed before the 10th week of pregnancy and, even if done in the safest stage, can still potentially lead to a miscarriage. As mentioned, if there is another medical reason for an amniocentesis, a DNA test can be done at that time.
If paternity is an issue that needs to be determined, it is advised that people should wait until the child has been born.
Side effects of this procedure can include:
- vaginal bleeding
- cramping
- the leaking of amniotic fluid
- irritation around the injection site
You'll need your doctor's consent to have an amniocentesis performed solely for the purpose of paternity testing.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
This invasive diagnostic test also uses a thin needle or tube. Your doctor will insert it into your vagina and through the cervix. Using ultrasound as a guide, your doctor will use the needle or box to collect chorionic villi, small pieces of tissue attached to the uterine wall.
This tissue can establish paternity test because the chorionic villi and your growing baby have the same genetic makeup. The sample taken through CVS will be compared to DNA collected from the alleged father. There's a 99 percent accuracy rate.
A CVS can be performed between weeks 10 and 13 of your pregnancy. You'll need a doctor's consent when it's done to establish paternity. Like amniocentesis, it's typically used to detect chromosome abnormalities and other genetic disorders. Unfortunately, 1 in every 100 CVS procedures will result in miscarriage.
How Does a Prenatal Paternity Test Work?
A prenatal DNA test requires samples from the pregnant mother and possible father. First, a blood sample will be drawn from the mother, while a cheek swab will be collected from the potential father. Because fetal DNA (DNA from the baby) floats freely in the mother's blood, the lab can then build a DNA profile for the unborn child using the collected sample. This profile is compared to the father's DNA profile, and the probability of paternity will then be established.
Can You Get a Paternity Test While Pregnant?
Yes. Prenatal DNA testing makes it possible to confirm paternity as early as 7 weeks into the pregnancy, using a noninvasive method to provide highly accurate results. At no risk to your health or the health of your unborn child, this lab test can establish a DNA link to the child's biological father.
The prenatal paternity test results are legally admissible as long as you complete the testing process at an AABB-certified lab like Choice DNA Laboratory LLC. This means they can be used to prove paternity in custody, child support, and other Florida family court matters. Beyond that, the excellent reliability of prenatal paternity testing will ensure that all involved parties have the clear information they need.
Why is it important to take a paternity test during pregnancy?
A paternity test determines the biological relationship between a baby and the father. It's important for legal, medical, and psychological reasons.
According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), determining paternity:
- establishes legal and social benefits such as inheritance and social security
- provides a medical history for your baby
- can strengthen the bond between father and child
For these reasons, many states in the United States have laws requiring a form that acknowledges paternity to be completed at the hospital following a baby's birth.
Once the form is completed, couples have a designated amount of time to request a DNA paternity test for amendments to the form. This form is filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics as a legally binding document.
Do hospitals do paternity tests at birth?
No. The paternity test at the hospital does not offer paternity testing as a service. A hospital will refer its clients to a DNA testing company like IDTO to assist with their DNA testing needs.
Please note that DNA sample collections are often performed onsite at many hospitals if you need a paternity test before signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity form. You must consult with the head nurse or doctor to confirm a DNA sample collection can be performed on the hospital premises.
Who should choose noninvasive prenatal DNA paternity testing?
Noninvasive prenatal DNA paternity testing is typically performed for individuals and families who cannot or would rather not wait for the child to be born or who would rather not undergo invasive and often dangerous procedures such as Amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS).
Prenatal DNA paternity testing cannot be performed if the mother carries multiples (twins, triplets, etc...). In these cases, postnatal DNA paternity testing should be considered. Prenatal DNA paternity testing is admissible in legal proceedings where the child's paternity is questioned.
What about At-Home Paternity Tests?
If you're searching for where to get a paternity test in your area, odds are that you've come across companies offering at-home test kits. While the convenience and privacy of these tests may be tempting, there are better options than this. Instead of a professional collection, transporting, and testing your DNA samples, it will be up to you to collect and submit the material.
Unfortunately, there are far too many potential issues. You might accidentally contaminate the samples during collection, one of the involved parties could tamper with the samples, or they could even get lost in the mail and prolong your wait time. Additionally, Choice DNA Laboratory LLC there at-home DNA tests are admissible in court, meaning you use them for custody, child support, visitation, or any other legal matters.
Why is establishing paternity important?
Establishing paternity is important both to the child and the parents. It can help protect their future and ensure things like child support and custody are with the true father.
Determining a biological relationship is important for several reasons:
- To establish legal and social benefits, including social security, veterans, and inheritance benefits.
- Provides an accurate medical history for the child, giving the healthcare provider additional insight during diagnosis and in managing the child's health.
- Strengthens the bond between biological individuals, such as father and child.
If you are pregnant and unmarried, most states have laws requiring an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) form to be completed at the hospital immediately after birth to establish who the father is legally. After the AOP is signed, couples have a limited amount of time, depending on the state, to request a DNA paternity test and amend the AOP. This form is filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics and is a legally binding document.
If the time allowed for amending this form expires, the father listed as the AOP and birth certificate could be held legally responsible for the child, even if he later proves he is not the biological father.
Some states require an unmarried couple to have a paternity test to list a father's name on the birth certificate. Suppose the mother is married to someone other than the child's father. In that case, the husband can be presumed the father and listed on the birth certificate as the legal father unless otherwise disputed by a paternity test.
