A prenatal paternity test is done when it is necessary to prove whether a man is the biological father of a child. This test is carried out on the unborn child when those involved do not wish to wait until the child is born to determine paternity.
A trained physician will take prenatal samples using well-established methods. DNA is then extracted from these samples and analysed. Because DNA is formed at conception and never changes, the same conclusive results will be obtained with a prenatal paternity test, as with a normal paternity test.
If the test is to be for personal knowledge only, samples from the alleged father as well as the mother can be collected using a home kit. However, if the testing is required in a legal situation, then it needs to be done following the legal channels. Documentation processes have to be followed, that are acceptable by the courts as well as other government agencies, to determine and prove in a court of law, whether the alleged person is the father of the baby or not.
DNA prenatal paternity testing gives a probability of 99.9% or higher of paternity, and 100% probability that the alleged person is not the father of the child. In a prenatal paternity test, the prenatal sample, as well as the mother and alleged father are tested. The mother needs to be involved in this test because the laboratory undertaking the testing needs to distinguish her DNA from that of the baby’s in the prenatal sample that contains cells from both the baby and the mother.
Prenatal samples are collected by following one of two procedures, depending on the stage of the pregnancy. The first, chorionic villi sampling, or CVS, is done during the 10th to 13th weeks of pregnancy. This involves taking a small sample from the placenta, the membrane that partially surrounds the developing fetus, either by way of the vagina, or through the abdominal wall.
Then there is the amniocentesis test, which can be carried out during the 14th to 24th weeks of pregnancy. A sample of amniotic fluid is drawn from the sac surrounding the developing fetus. This amniotic fluid contains fetal cells that are used in analysing the DNA. Amniotic fluid is obtained by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall.
Both these procedures are invasive, with a slight risk of infection, and an even smaller risk of miscarriage, and are only carried out by a trained physician. These procedures are also both used to determine any genetic birth defects or other possible health problems with the baby.
These prenatal paternity tests are the only accurate tests that are available, and although somewhat expensive, are the only options available for those wanting or needing a paternity test carried out. If the amniocentesis test is carried out for medical purposes, there are insurance companies that may cover the fee involved.