If you have questions about the paternity of your unborn child, there is a simple, non-invasive method for getting the answers you need: a prenatal paternity test. You may be wondering the safety of a DNA test while pregnant, but the professionals at ARCpoint Labs of Austin North can ease your mind with our prenatal DNA testing.
Can I Get a Paternity Test While Pregnant?
Yes. A prenatal paternity test makes it possible to analyze your unborn child’s DNA, tracing paternity and establishing a clear genetic link between father and child.
How Does Prenatal DNA Paternity Testing Work?
A prenatal paternity test requires two samples: one blood sample from the mother and a cheek-swab sample from the proposed father. Because fetal cells are present in a pregnant mother’s bloodstream, the mother’s blood sample can be used to develop a DNA profile of the unborn child. Then, that DNA profile will be compared with the one created using the father’s cheek swab, either confirming or denying a paternal link between the two.
Prenatal DNA testing can be conducted as early as 7-8 weeks gestation, providing scientifically accurate results.
Is it Safe to Take a DNA Paternity Test While Pregnant?
Before recent lab advancements, prenatal DNA testing was an invasive process that was typically associated with a wide range of risk factors. However, because today’s method of prenatal paternity testing only utilizes a blood sample from the mother, there is no risk posed to the unborn child.
What are the Benefits of a Prenatal DNA Test While Pregnant?
A prenatal DNA test offers a wide range of benefits, ranging from personal peace of mind to the ability to declare legal paternity. Here are a few reasons you may want to consider getting a lab-provided prenatal paternity test:
- According to Texas state law, establishing official paternity is required in order to pursue paternal rights and responsibilities, such as child custody, child support, visitation, and more. If the parents of a child are unmarried, the state does not officially recognize the father until paternity is established, either through voluntary acknowledgment or court-ordered DNA testing. A prenatal DNA test can confirm paternity before birth, making voluntary acknowledgment easy and helping you avoid legal hassle.
- By completing the DNA testing process before birth, you can minimize the hassle by filing the official Acknowledgement of Paternity at the hospital. However, if voluntary paternity is not declared at birth and the hospital files the birth certificate, you will need to refile and pay an additional fee.
- Unlike testing options provided by at-home kits or mail-in services (which typically are only used after a baby is born), DNA paternity testing provided by certified labs is legally admissible and accepted by the state of Texas.
- Having clear answers when it comes to your child’s paternity can lift an emotional burden, eliminating any doubt and allowing you to move forward without the nagging worries. By knowing the identity of the child’s father, you may be able to better prepare for both the birth and the child’s life, receiving the support you need. Also, you can make informed legal decisions as needed, discussing custody or visitation plans to be implemented after the child’s birth. This can considerably reduce stress or conflict, allowing you to truly enjoy the birth of your child.
ARCpoint Labs: Providing Prenatal Paternity Tests in Austin, Texas
ARCpoint Labs is a trusted provider of lab services in North Austin, offering patients a wide range of testing solutions to suit their needs. A certified technician will administer your prenatal DNA test in our clean, comfortable facility, ensuring a discreet, hassle-free process and highly reliable results. At ARCpoint Labs, we know how important it is to have a clear answer for your questions of paternity, which is why our testing process adheres to such high standards.
For your legally admissible, professionally administered DNA paternity test, contact ARCPoint Labs of Austin North today. Learn more about your prenatal DNA testing options to better determine paternity and see which is right for you.