We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Prenatal Paternity Test?

By Felicia Dye
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,242
Share

A prenatal paternity test provides a way to determine whether a person is the father of a particular child before the child is born. This type of test is usually not an option until at least the tenth week of pregnancy. To conduct the test, DNA samples are needed from the mother, the suspected father, and the unborn child. Even when the mother has health care coverage, in most cases this type of testing must be paid for from personal finances.

Any time the word prenatal is used, it means before birth. At one time, when there was a question about the paternity of a child, the answer was only obtained after the pregnancy concluded. The advent of the prenatal paternity test allows such an issue to be settled much earlier, often in the first trimester.

To conduct a prenatal paternity test, three DNA samples are required. The suspected father needs to provide one. This can be done if he contributes bodily items such as cheek cells, hair, or blood. The pregnant woman also provides one.

The third sample is from the fetus. Obtaining the fetal sample usually requires the involvement of the pregnant woman’s doctor. Using a procedure known as chorionic villi sampling (CVS), the doctor can take a sample from the placenta either by vaginal extraction or extraction through the abdominal wall. The sample from the fetus can also be obtained by having an amniocentesis performed. This is a procedure in which a long needle is inserted into the stomach and used to extract amniotic fluid.

CVS testing is usually possible several weeks before an amniocentesis, which is not recommended before the 14th week. There are also some testing methods that claim to be able to extract fetal samples from the mother’s blood. These are not, however, as common.

The samples are submitted to a laboratory, and the results of the prenatal paternity test are often available within a few days. These tests are marketed as being equally as reliable as post-maternity tests. In many instances, the results are guaranteed to be at least 99 percent accurate.

Getting a prenatal paternity test generally involves out-of-pocket costs. Even if a person has health care coverage, this procedure is not likely to be covered. If fetal samples need to be extracted for other purposes, a portion may be utilized for the test, and the cost of obtaining the sample may then be paid for by the insurance company.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-prenatal-paternity-test.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.