Prenatal Paternity Test Options

For prenatal testing, or paternity testing while pregnant, there are a few options to choose from:

Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP): A non-invasive prenatal paternity test is the most accurate non-invasive way to establish paternity before the baby is born. The process is state-of-the-art, combining the latest technology and proprietary methods of preserving and analyzing the baby’s DNA found naturally in the mother’s bloodstream. This test requires only a simple blood collection from the mother and alleged father. This test can be performed any time after the 7th week of pregnancy. The results are 100% accurate and the only non-invasive prenatal paternity test to be AABB certified.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): This test consists of a thin needle or tube which a doctor inserts from the vagina, through the cervix, guided by an ultrasound, to obtain chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are little finger-like pieces of tissue attached to the wall of the uterus. The chorionic villi and the fetus come from the same fertilized egg and have the same genetic makeup. This testing can be done in the 10th-13th week of pregnancy. The consent of an OB-GYN is needed to do this procedure for paternity testing.

Amniocentesis: During this procedure, the doctor uses ultrasound to guide a thin needle into your uterus, through your abdomen. The needle draws out a small amount of amniotic fluid, which is tested. Risks include a small chance of harming the baby and miscarriage. Other side effects may include cramping, leaking of amniotic fluid, and vaginal bleeding. A doctor’s consent is needed to do this procedure for paternity testing. This test is performed in the second trimester, anywhere from the 14th-20th weeks of pregnancy.

More details on each of these options are listed here:

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

CVS is usually performed between 10 and 13 weeks from your last menstrual period. This is primarily a diagnostic test for seeing if there are abnormal chromosomes or inherited disorders. CVS is a diagnostic procedure which involves removing some chorionic villi cells from the placenta at the point where it attaches to the uterine wall. A health care provider may suggest this medical procedure if there are any family medical histories, on either the mother or father’s side, that show possible risks. Using the fluid that the medical professional extracts, we are able to compare this to the suspected father or father’s DNA to determine paternity. The alleged father’s DNA sample is usually a buccal (mouth) swab, however we can also test some items if you wish to test the suspected father’s DNA without his knowledge, or he is not available for testing.

There are two ways samples are collected:

Transcervical: This is the most common method where a thin catheter is guided using ultrasound, through the cervix to the placenta. The chorionic villi cells are gently suctioned into the catheter.

Transabdominal: This method of collection is quite similar to  amniocentesis, when a long thin needle is guided by ultrasound through the abdomen to the placenta. The needle draws a sample of tissue and then is removed.

How To Collect The DNA Sample: Included in the price of the testing is a DNA collection kit that is specific to CVS testing. We will ship this kit to either you, or your physician, USPS Priority mail. Included in the kit are the necessary collection supplies (tubes for the mother’s fluid sample, buccal swabs for the alleged father), detailed instructions, and a prepaid overnight return mailer for returning your sample to the lab.

What Is The Processing Time For CVS Testing?: Once our lab has all DNA samples for the analysis, results are generally ready in 5 business days. Results are emailed to you as soon as they are ready, and are easy to understand.

CVS is an invasive procedure, and we encourage you speak with your OB-GYN about any concerns involved in this type of prenatal testing. Our laboratory fees do not include the OB-GYN fee for collecting the prenatal sample.

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is done in most cases between 14 and 20 weeks, although there are a few medical facilities that state they will perform amniocentesis as early as 11 weeks. Amniocentesis is a medical diagnostic ;procedure that may be recommended by your health care provider to determine if genetic disorders may be present in the fetus. A sonogram used to guide the needle to enter the amniotic sac, so the extraction of fluid can take occur.  A sample of amniotic fluid is collected through the needle. The procedure takes about 45 minutes, although the collection of fluid takes less than five minutes. The amniotic fluid, which contains cells shed by the fetus, is sent to the laboratory for analysis and is compared to a DNA sample from the possible father(s) to conclusively determine paternity.

Amniocentesis is considered a safe procedure, however it is recognized as an invasive diagnostic test that does pose potential risks. It is estimated (Mayo Clinic) to be done about 200,000 times a year.  The risk of miscarriage ranges from 1 in 400 to 1 in 200. In facilities where amniocentesis is performed regularly, the rates are closer to 1 in 400.

How Is The Amniocentesis Sample Collected?: Included in the price of the testing is a DNA collection kit that is specific to Amniocentesis testing. We will ship this kit to either you, or your physician, USPS Priority mail. Included in the kit are the necessary collection supplies (tubes for the mother’s fluid sample, buccal swabs for the alleged father), detailed instructions, and a prepaid overnight return mailer for returning your sample to the lab. If the test results are to be used for any legal purpose, we will also include the required chain of custody, and in legal cases, can only ship the kit to the physician directly.

What Is The Processing Time For Amniocentesis Testing?: Once our lab has all DNA samples for the analysis, results are generally ready in 5 business days. Results are emailed to you as soon as they are ready, and are easy to understand.

Amniocentesis is an invasive procedure, and we suggest that you speak with your physician about the risks involved in this type of prenatal testing. Our testing cost does not include any physician fees for collecting the prenatal sample.

Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test (NIPP)

Our advanced Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test, often known as a NIPP test, will identify the father of a child as soon as 7 weeks into pregnancy with the highest degree of accuracy. Seven (7) weeks is the earliest to ensure enough fetal DNA is floating in your blood sample to get an accurate result. Don’t be misled by advertising that promises accurate results if you are between 4 – 7 weeks pregnant. Science doesn’t support enough genetic material from the fetus to be able to tell who the father is.

This is the most reliable and advanced prenatal paternity test available, using trace DNA extraction techniques to screen for fetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream. It’s safer and easier than old, more invasive techniques such as amniocentesis. The alleged father’s DNA is collected with a mouth swab, and the mother’s DNA sample is a simple blood draw.

Our NIPP test is recommended as an option for verifying who the alleged father is prior to birth for the following reasons:

• Early Testing – The earliest testing for prenatal paternity testing available in direct to consumer tests.
• Accuracy Guaranteed – Every test is run twice before releasing the results so you know they are accurate every time.
• Noninvasive – 100% safe for mother and baby with no added risks to the pregnancy. 
• Testing Laboratory in the USA – There is always a risk when sending DNA samples outside of a regulated USA laboratory as there is no guarantee as to the testing regulations in place. We strongly recommend that you ask exactly where your DNA is being tested. 
•  AABB Accredited Testing Lab – This accreditation is the most important criteria when selecting a DNA laboratory. Our partner lab is AABB accredited.