While pregnancy can be an exciting journey, it can be overwhelming if there are questions about paternity. When you are expecting, you may be wondering if you can get a paternity test while pregnant. Fortunately, ARCpoint Labs of North Austin has reliable solutions for establishing paternity. Should you choose to do a paternity test while pregnant, we offer a safe and noninvasive prenatal blood test that can be done as early as nine weeks. Establishing paternity can help you make important decisions about the people you involve in the pregnancy, genetic testing you receive, or legal arrangements you may need to make.
Why Is It Important to Take a Paternity Test During Pregnancy?
Paternity testing establishes a biological relationship between a father and child. There are many medical, legal, and even psychological reasons for determining paternity early in a child’s life.
- You will have a starting point for your child’s medical history
- Allows you to establish legal benefits, such as child support, social security, and/or inheritance
- It can help strengthen the bond between the child and father
Many states in the United States have laws that require a form that acknowledges paternity after a child is born. Often, states presume paternity of the husband for married couples. Unmarried couples may have to file a notarized form or have a paternity test to confirm the parental relationship.
Paternity Testing in Austin, TX: What Are My Options?
There are different ways to establish paternity, some of which are legally admissible in a court of law and others that are not but can still be valuable.
Informational Paternity
This test requires a simple cheek swab of the child and the alleged father. It can give clients peace of mind, but it does not require an ID and therefore is not court-admissible.
Legal Paternity
A government-issued ID is required to establish a legal biological connection between father and child. If the alleged father is deceased, the lab can test grandparents, siblings, or an aunt or uncle. Legal paternity testing is often required for custody cases, estate settlements, social security benefits, immigration, or court orders.
Prenatal Paternity
There are different methods for taking a paternity test while pregnant:
Noninvasive prenatal paternity (NIPP) – This blood test is the most accurate way to establish paternity during the pregnancy. A blood sample is taken from the mother and the alleged father in order to conduct a fetal cell analysis. Then, a genetic profile is used to compare the fetal cells present in the mother’s bloodstream to the potential father’s, with results that are more than 99 percent accurate. This is a noninvasive test that can be performed as early as nine weeks into the pregnancy, which means it can help with peace of mind early in the pregnancy, or help you move forward with important decisions.
Alternative prenatal paternity testing – There are two types of procedures, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS), that are typically used to detect genetic disorders or chromosome abnormalities. They can also be used to compare DNA of the alleged father to the baby’s, and both have a 99 percent accuracy rate, but are invasive, may come with possible side effects and risk of miscarriage.
DNA Paternity Test Cost
The cost of prenatal paternity testing will vary depending on the type of test. Health insurance usually will not cover these procedures, which can range from $500 up to $1,750 depending on how quickly you need the results.
How Accurate are Prenatal Paternity Tests?
Prenatal paternity testing is very precise. A paternal biological relationship between a male and baby can be determined with 99.9% accuracy.
Where to Get a DNA Test While Pregnant
While some procedures are done in a health care provider’s office or an outpatient clinic to be sent to a lab, noninvasive prenatal paternity tests are available at laboratories. ARCpoint Labs of Austin North maintains the highest standards, ensuring expertise in laboratory screening and patient well-being. We provide safe and accurate noninvasive prenatal paternity testing for your assurance and family planning.
Effective & Reliable Paternity Testing in Austin
If you need a paternity test while pregnant, contact ARCpoint Labs of Austin North today. We can help you schedule an appointment when it is convenient for you. Whether you need legal DNA testing or an informational paternity test for your own knowledge, we provide accurate, confidential, and compassionate services to give you the knowledge you need.