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Considering a Paternity Test While Pregnant? What You Need to Know
Posted by Paternity Test in DNA Paternity Testing
Pregnancy can be a time of wonder and enjoyment at the life being formed inside another human being. It can also be a time of mass confusion and worry for individuals who aren’t certain of their baby’s paternity. In past years, parents had to wait until the birth of their child to determine the real father; however, medical advancements now allow a paternity test to be performed while the mother is pregnant.
When a Prenatal Paternity Test is Performed
A prenatal paternity test is typically conducted at two different times during a pregnancy. The first opportunity comes at the end of the first trimester, which includes weeks 10- 13 of pregnancy. During this three week period, the procedure can be performed through CVS (Chronic Villus Sampling).
CVS is the process of scraping cells off the placenta’s surface. These cells are then used to determine paternity or prove a number of suspected medical concerns. This type of paternity test can be done as part of other testing or a CVS can be done solely for paternity purposes. Most insurance companies are willing pay for CVS testing for medical concerns, but not for paternity purposes only.
The second opportunity for a paternity test while pregnant comes in weeks 14-24 through the process of amniocentesis. A vial of amniotic fluid is obtained by inserting a needle through the mother’s abdomen and drawing out fluid from the amniotic sack. This fluid contains DNA matter of the mother and child which is used to establish paternity before the child arrives.
Prenatal Paternity Test Risks
There is a slight risk to the unborn infant in this prenatal paternity test. The American Medical Association outlines the risk of injury to the fetus due to amniocentesis as 1 in 2000. Once again, most insurance companies will not cover this test for paternity purposes only; however, most do cover it for other issues, and the paternity test can simply be included in the ‘package’ testing.
Cost Factors of a Paternity Test While Pregnant
A paternity test during pregnancy is often fairly expensive. Most paternity testing companies offer the service starting at $450; with the most expensive topping out at $2000 for some tests and reports. Home paternity tests may be purchased for around $30 at most local drugstores to confirm paternity after birth. For some parents-to-be, the difference in price is worth waiting a few months for confirmation.
Reasons to Have a Paternity Test While Pregnant
There are many valid reasons to consider having a paternity test while pregnant. Some couples just need the confirmation to ease stress. Single women needing the documentation to begin receiving child support and child custody proceedings welcome the new testing. A prenatal paternity test allows the mother to start financially securing her child’s future even before the baby arrives.
It’s also important to note that results from a prenatal paternity test may be considered ‘presentable’ documentation to the courts, if the test is performed following specific guidelines. The only difference in this type of testing is that chain of custody is documented to ensure the test results are tamper-free.
Many concerned couples may believe that the risk of having a paternity test while pregnant is not worth confirming the father a few months prior to birth. For others, however, it’s the only way to enjoy pregnancy and ease concerns over their child’s future.
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Most pregnancy calendars are developed by way of years of medical investigation. They reflect the adjustments that happen throughout the average pregnancy. Since each birth knowledge is unique, you could notice some variations in your own pregnancy.