Paternity Test While Pregnant

Pregnancy is meant to be a wonderful time in a woman’s life. She is now a part of the amazing process of creating a human being. However, for many women, this is one of the most stressful periods that can ever happen to them because they are not certain of the identity of the fathers of their babies. These are the women that may be interested in having a paternity test while pregnant.

While establishing paternity of the baby is the primary goal of a woman that is expecting, there are several reasons that this may be necessary. For example, if the alleged father is denying that there is any chance he fathered a particular child, the mother may want to have a paternity test to determine which one of them is correct.

What Role Does DNA Play?

Once the father has been established, the mother can proceed with such legal actions as seeking child support.

The good news is that women do not have to wait until after they have given birth to find out who the father is. DNA paternity testing is also available for babies that are still in utero. Granted, it can be a bit trickier to do things this way, but it is a more common practice than people may think. While it can be challenging to obtain a DNA sample from the unborn child, it can be done in a relatively safe manner.

Genetics can show a lot more about an unborn baby than just who the father is. The same tests can also identify any problems or illnesses the baby may have so that the mother can be prepared for any eventuality. The sex of the baby can also be discovered through these tests.

There are two methods to get a paternity test while pregnant. These are the chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. The CVS can be done at approximately 10 to 13 weeks of pregnancy. It is performed by the insertion of a needle through the cervix or the abdomen. This needle collects a sample of the placenta tissue or chorionic villi. The fertilized egg creates both this tissue and the fetus, so it carries the same DNA as the fetus. That is why it works for paternity testing.

What role does DNA and Amniocentesis play?

Amniocentesis cannot be performed until the 14th or 15th week of pregnancy. In this procedure, a needle is inserted through the abdomen of the mother into the uterus. This needle draws a sample of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. There are DNA cells contained in this fluid and is used to conduct the paternity test.

Both of these tests are guided by an ultrasound to make sure that the thin needle hits the target without causing any damage to the baby or mother. Even so, there are some risks involved no matter what route is taken.

There is a slight chance of miscarriage, cramping, vaginal bleeding and amniotic fluid leaking. The mother’s doctor must give his consent in writing before either of these tests can be performed.

Prenatal DNA Evidence for Fatherhood?

There are some laboratories that claim that fetal DNA can be obtained simply by drawing blood from the mother. However, these tests are not considered to be reliable by the organization that governs such things.

One last thing that a mother attempting to have a paternity test while pregnant should know is that the test results will be kept secret from everyone except the mother. This can be a huge relief to mothers that are trying to time the announcement of the results.