For ages, people have had questions about paternity that went unanswered because of the limitations of medicine and lack of technology. Around the 1960s, technology and medicine caught up a little, and people began to test infants and older children for somewhat accurate paternity; however, if questions arose before birth, there was no way to find accurate answers and reliable evidence.
Fast forward to today, and we now have the modern medical technology to test for paternity before birth. But what does that look like, and what does that entail? Let’s look at six of the most commonly asked questions concerning non-invasive prenatal paternity DNA testing to find answers.
What is non-invasive prenatal paternity DNA testing?
A non-invasive prenatal paternity DNA test is a clinical test that determines a baby’s father before birth. The process is simple. From a sample of the mother’s blood and a sample of the alleged father’s saliva or blood, the test analyzes free-floating fetal DNA from the mother’s plasma, comparing it with the alleged father’s sample to either exclude or confirm paternity.
It is non-invasive because no amniotic fluid is collected, which can cause potential harm. With non-invasive prenatal paternity DNA testing, the baby is not affected at all. As a bonus, the test can also reveal the gender of the baby, so it can be used as two tests (paternity and gender reveal) in one.
How accurate is prenatal paternity DNA testing?
Prenatal paternity DNA testing is 99.9% accurate in determining if an alleged father is the biological father. For the most accurate results, it is recommended that you wait until at least the 7th week of pregnancy.
Can my OB-GYN do prenatal paternity testing?
Prenatal paternity testing can be administered by your OB-GYN; however, it can be expensive, and most insurance companies will not cover the cost as they consider it to be a non-medical procedure. Also, you will probably need to wait for weeks, even months, after testing to view your results.
A better option would be trusting a clinical lab with years of medical testing experience and a staff of licensed and trained professionals. The costs are astronomically lower than testing from your OB-GYN, and no insurance is required. The best part is that you don’t have to wait weeks or months; you can review results within 7 – 10 business days after the lab receives the samples from all participants.
When can prenatal paternity DNA testing be done?
Prenatal paternity DNA testing should be performed at eight weeks into pregnancy or later for the most accurate results, and it can be administered at any time during pregnancy, even up to 40 weeks. Testing as early as possible may prevent unnecessary worry and doubt from uncertainty.
Where can I get a prenatal paternity DNA test done?
As stated before, you can get a prenatal paternity DNA test at your OB-GYN’s office, but to save time, money, and hassle, it is best to seek out an accredited medical testing provider. You can also get testing from at-home kits, but the results are only for informational purposes and cannot be used for legal DNA testing* which is admissible in a court of law.
*You should check with your local court circuit to confirm if noninvasive prenatal paternity testing is accepted as legally admissible.
How much does it cost to get a DNA test while pregnant?
If you use a non-accredited lab or at-home kit, it will cost you a few hundred dollars. That could be money wasted if your test results are misconstrued, or if the need arises in the future for legal DNA paternity testing. At-home kits and the like are inadmissible in court proceedings as they do not follow the chain of custody, costing you more in the long run from having to seek out other testing services.
If you go through your OB-GYN, the cost can be astronomical, especially without the aid of insurance. The best recourse for prenatal DNA paternity testing is through a licensed and accredited medical testing provider that provides upfront costs and no hidden fees. The cost is usually significantly less than hospitals and other clinical labs.
To learn more about prenatal DNA paternity testing or to schedule an appointment, contact your local ARCpoint Labs. We have been providing answers and solutions for over 20 years, and we’ll be happy to answer all your paternity questions and give you peace of mind.