Paternity testing while pregnant

Paternity testing while pregnant is not unusual but we shall here distinguish between different method as they can be divided into two categorie- the invasive and the non-invasive types. You will confirm your pregnancy far earlier than you can carry out the prenatal test. A home pregnancy test will confirm the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG. Because all prenatal paternity tests must be done after a given number of weeks, a pregnancy calculator can really help you determine how far you are in your pregnancy.

There are 3 main methods in which a sample of the unborn child’s DNA can be collected but these methods differ significantly. The main method of differentiation, always within the context of establishing paternity, is that a pregnancy DNA test can be either invasive and entail certain risks or else it can be totally safe for the expectant mother and child.

Non Invasive methods of Paternity Testing while pregnant

It is only recently that non invasive DNA prenatal paternity tests have been made available to people around the world. Research had been under way for many years but several challenges where found. Because of the exchange of nutrients and supply of blood between the mother and the baby she is carrying, the baby’s DNA naturally finds its way in the mother’s blood. The process of extracting the child’s DNA from the maternal blood has been a huge but successful challenge. This basically means being able to carry out a prenatal paternity test using just a sample of maternal blood taken via a medical blood draw generally from the arm – incredible but true, scientifically validated and highly accurate. Of course for this paternity test during pregnancy you will also need a sample from the alleged father.

There is also the option of waiting till birth and carrying out the paternity test then.

Invasive methods of Paternity Testing during Pregnancy

Invasive prenatal paternity testing methods chosen depend on the trimester or stage of pregnancy you are in. Both tests are carried out by a specialist and fetal DNA samples are extracted directly from the mother’s womb from close proximity to the baby.

Amniocentesis and CVS are the two methods used- these tests might ring a bell with most pregnant mothers as they are often used as diagnostic tests to confirm whether the unborn baby will suffer from any genetic disorders such as Down’s syndrome. This DNA testing during pregnancy to detect genetic abnormalities is avoided in some countries as it is somewhat unethical and taboo to carry out such tests as couples and expectant mothers may choose to abort babies that could be born handicapped.

Both these tests enable getting samples of the child’s DNA. The type of sample collected is different as the tests are carried out depending on the stage you are in your pregnancy. If amniocentesis is used, then the sample taken is one of amniotic fluid. CVS on the hand, involved collecting a sample of the finger-like protrusions along the wall of the womb known as chorionic villi.