Are You Considering a Paternity Test?
DNA testing has come a long way over the years. It is now possible to determine the paternity of a child with 99% accuracy, using just a simple DNA test. This has led to an increase in paternity testing, as more and more people are interested in finding out who the father of their child is. But is paternity testing while pregnant safe? In this article, we shall cover, what a DNA test is, what paternity testing is for, what happens during a paternity test, if you should consider a paternity test and any possible drawbacks of getting a paternity test.
If you are searching for a paternity test, here at Ultrasound Plus we can carry out a DNA paternity test for you, book an appointment online today to get the process started. Our team are more than happy to explain the whole process to you before you book an appointment, give us a call.
Fetal DNA Testing
DNA is the blueprint for our existence. It stores all necessary information about who we are, including our physical traits. It also holds everything that defines us as individuals, including genetic diseases. The DNA test can be performed in just a matter of minutes. DNA testing is also the only way to determine paternity with such accuracy.
Paternity testing
Paternity testing can be performed at any point during the pregnancy, and the test itself won’t cause any harm or discomfort for either mother or baby. However, the most common time to perform a DNA test would be after the baby is born. This is because DNA testing during the pregnancy may produce false results due to the DNA from both mother and father mixing. DNA testing performed postpartum can rule out any chance of faulty results produced by DNA mixing during fetal development.
What Happens During A Paternity Test?
So, what is the process during a paternity test? The DNA testing process is simple and non-invasive. The father and child will provide a DNA sample by swabbing the inside of her mouth. The DNA from the father will be compared to the DNA from the child. If there is a match, the father is confirmed to be the child’s biological father. If there is no match, the father is ruled out as the child’s biological father. DNA testing can be performed at any point during the pregnancy, and DNA from both mother and father will mix in the DNA of the developing fetus. There is a possibility that DNA mixing could result in faulty DNA test results if paternity testing were to be performed during fetal development. For this reason, DNA tests are best done after birth when it is safe to do DNA testing on the child. DNA tests are non-invasive, simple, and accurate ways to determine paternity in cases where paternity is uncertain.
Should you get a Paternity test?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not you should get a paternity test. Some women feel that they have the right to know who the father of their child is, even if it means undergoing a paternity test while pregnant. Others think that the process is invasive and could potentially harm their unborn child. So, should you get a paternity test? The answer to that question depends on your own personal beliefs and feelings about the matter.
Possible Drawbacks To DNA/Paternity Testing
There are some potential drawbacks to DNA testing. The most common one is the fear of getting inaccurate results. As mentioned earlier, DNA tests performed during pregnancy may produce false results due to DNA mixing from both mother and father. DNA testing performed postpartum can rule out any chance of faulty results produced by DNA mixing during fetal development. Another potential drawback to DNA testing is the cost. DNA tests can be expensive, depending on the laboratory that you use. Finally, some people may feel that DNA testing is an invasion of privacy. They may feel that it is none of anyone’s business who the father of their child is.
Is a Paternity Test The Right Thing For You?
Paternity testing during pregnancy may be an option for you. As you now know, these tests can be performed at any point and will not cause harm or discomfort to either mother or baby. The only downside of these types of DNA testings is potential false results from mixing both parents’ DNA while developing in the fetus stage. Another drawback mentioned earlier is that it can be costly outside a doctor’s office. You would also need to consider some people might feel like it violates their privacy by knowing who the father is without consent on his behalf.
While having the answer about whether someone else fathered your child would bring peace of mind to most expectant mothers, it’s essential to weigh out the pros and cons of paternity testing during pregnancy before deciding whether it’s right for you.
Get in touch with one of our team here at Ultrasound Plus if you have any questions about paternity testing.
