Options for Prenatal Paternity Testing
All this being said, do you still want to know who the father of your child is before he or she is born? This can be determined by using either of the current fetal sample collection techniques, chorionic villi sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. Accredited laboratories offer these testing services for samples collected either of these ways because the results are accurate and dependable. Both the CVS and the amniocentesis can be used to determine paternity of your unborn baby. Partnered with your obstetrician, accredited labs, such as DNA Diagnostics Center, can help you find the answers to your questions.
Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS)
CVS can be performed between the 10th and 13th weeks of pregnancy. Cells from the placenta are collected by inserting a long needle through the cervix or the abdomen. The fetal cells containing DNA are then separated from the mother's DNA. After this is successful, the fetal DNA is compared with the alleged father's DNA to prove or disprove paternity.
The risks of CVS are slightly higher than those of an amniocentesis. Miscarriage occurs about 2% of the time. Other complications could include infection or bleeding.
Amniocentesis
An amniocentesis (amnio), which carries slightly less of a risk than the CVS, can also be performed to determine paternity before the child is born. This test is usually performed to determine health problems and genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. While this test would not be performed for the sole purpose of determining paternity, many women decide to have a paternity test done when they are already planning to have an amniocentesis. During the 14th through the 24th weeks of pregnancy, a long needle can be inserted through the abdomen to collect loose fetal cells that are released into the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. The DNA profile of the fetus is then compared to that of the alleged father to determine paternity. This test is as conclusive as a standard paternity test, because the baby's DNA is set at conception.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of miscarriage from amniocentesis is between 1 in 200 and 1 in 400 (0.5% and 0.25%). There is also a slight risk of uterine infection during the days after the test. These infections can sometimes lead to miscarriage, but the chances are less than 1 in 1,000 (0.10%).
Pg. 1 >> Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Testing
Pg. 2 >> Detecting Fetal Cells
Pg. 3 >> Accreditation Counts
Pg. 4 >> Options for Prenatal Paternity Testing
Pg. 5 >> Consider the Risks
Pg. 6 >> For More Information...
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