You might be wondering why we highlighted this B&B story. At Identigene, we acknowledge there are situations where a mother cannot wait the 9 months and needs paternity answers while carrying the baby. The main challenge is getting the DNA samples from the fetus safely. The two procedures used to test for abnormalities in developing fetuses are the same two used to collect prenatal DNA – CVS (Chronic Villus Sampling) and Amniocentesis.

CVS is where the doctor inserts a needle through the abdomen or cervix and takes a sample of the placenta tissue. It can be performed from about 10 weeks to 13 weeks pregnant.

Amniocentesis is available at about 14 weeks pregnant. In this procedure, a doctor inserts a needle through the abdomen into the uterus and takes a sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus.

They are both considered generally safe but do carry the risks of miscarriage, infection, bleeding or cramping. According to the Mayo Clinic, the miscarriage risk for CVS is about 1 in 100. The risk increases if the needle goes in through the cervix rather than the abdominal wall. The risks are slightly less for an Amnio, which carries a miscarriage risk between 1 in 300 and 1 in 500.

If you are in this situation and cannot wait until after childbirth, please talk with your obstetrician about prenatal DNA testing.

Paternity questions

Paternity testing has gained popularity since its modest beginning. Taking a paternity test is easier than ever by using cheek swabs to answer important questions of paternity. Confirmation of paternity claims has brought forward a breakthrough in science technology.

If you question paternity of a child, then you know the emotional toll it can take on an individual or an entire family. With paternity testing those doubts can be answered…are you the father?

Prenatal paternity testing

Paternity testing can be done during pregnancy as early as 10-12 weeks. Conducting a CVS or amniocentesis to collect the child’s sample is at the discretion of the mother’s physician. They will determine if mother and child are healthy enough to undergo such procedures. Because of the risks involved many physicians will not conduct these procedures for paternity testing alone.

Paternity Testing

If prenatal paternity testing is not an option, then the child’s sample can be collected after birth. There is no waiting period. Once the collections are complete and samples are sent to the IDENTIGENE laboratory. The testing process is 2-3 business days from the time all samples arrive at the laboratory. With online results participants of the paternity test can receive their accurate results much faster.

At home paternity test

Are you the father?

The at home paternity test offers the convenience of purchasing the DNA collection kit at your local retail outlet, and collection of the DNA samples for paternity testing in the convenience of your own home. Once you complete the collection you simply mail the samples in with the self-addressed stamped envelope provided in the kit. Keep in mind the at home paternity test is not court admissible. This is because the collection is done by the participants where identification cannot be verified and a chain-of-custody is not established.

Need a legal paternity test?

You can also do a legal paternity test by contacting the IDENTIGENE client support specialists to assist. For legal paternity testing the participants are collected by a third party where a chain-of-custody can be established.

Are you the father?

When paternity comes into question you may have many questions about the process and the paternity test results. Expert representatives are available to answer these questions and assist you through the process.

IDENTIGENE DNA Testing Center

IDENTIGENE DNA testing center helps with questions only DNA can answer.

CVS Sampling for paternity testing

Paternity Tests can be performed as early as 10-12 weeks.  One way for DNA Testing to be completed before the child is born is by collecting samples from the child using CVS (chorionic villus sampling), which is collected by putting a catheter (thin flexible tube) through the vagina and cervix into the placenta. It can also be collected with a thin needle put through the belly into the placenta. This is done for collecting Chorionic Villi which are tiny growths found in the placenta. The material in the chorionic villus cells are the same as the baby’s cells and can be used for Paternity DNA testing.

Amniocentesis for paternity testing

Paternity testing is also available if you are past the 12 week mark. Amniocentesis is usually performed at 15-20 weeks. The amniocentesis is done by putting a needle through the belly into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid. This can also be used for DNA Paternity testing.

Whichever prenatal paternity test procedure you select, it must be a decision made with your physician. There are risks involved with both procedures including miscarriage risks. Your physician can help determine if Mom and child are healthy enough to undergo either of these procedures.

Collecting Mom and alleged father for paternity testing

A Paternity test can be completed once the child’s samples are collected. Collecting the mother and alleged father’s samples can be done using buccal (cheek) swabs, and sent in for paternity testing with the child’s sample. Mom and alleged father’s collections can be done as a self collection for peace of mind paternity testing, or a legal collection (collected by a third party) to have the paternity results used for legal purposes such as child support, social security, or inheritance.

Technology has become more and more exciting over the years. DNA technology is no exception. With the increased sophistication of DNA technology extends affordability. Because DNA Paternity tests are more affordable than ever, the popularity continues to grow in the world of DNA test kits and paternity results.

DNA Paternity tests are reliable in situations where paternity is not conclusive. This is extremely helpful in child support/custody cases, as well as peace of mind for unsure parents or other family members. With the ease of picking up paternity kits at your local pharmacy for DNA testing in the convinience of your own home, it’s no wonder the world of Paternity DNA Testing has increased so dramatically. DNA Paternity tests can also be performed before the child is born, with assistance from the Mothers physician.

This popularity is not simply in the United States. Beijing Today reports during the November census there were 2 to 3 times more DNA Paternity Tests conducted than in previous years. The Beijing Genomics Institute reports requests for DNA Paternity Testing has grown 10-20% each year. Knowing paternity for peace of mind or for legal purposes has become a growing trend.

When people ask how soon you can do a DNA Paternity Test, usually they are asking about Prenatal Paternity Testing. Prenatal paternity testing is a paternity test that is done before the baby is born.

The short answer is that they can be done any time after the 10-12th  week of pregnancy.

Prenatal paternity tests are often conducted using samples obtained from Amnio (amniocentesis) or CVS (chorionic villus sampling)tests. If you are having these tests done for other reasons, let your doctor know that you are interested in paternity testing, and it’s likely that the same samples could be used for both tests.

That being said, these tests DO carry risks, both to mother and baby, and most doctors will not perform them solely for paternity testing. For this reason we suggest that DNA paternity testing be done after the baby is born. DNA samples can be collected easily and painlessly from a swab of the babies mouth minutes after being born. And with Identigene’s 2-3 business day turn around (once samples are received) you get your results quick.

Another benefit to DNA testing after the baby is born is cost. Prenatal Paternity Testing will have a fee for the collection of the prenatal DNA sample. Performed in a hospital or doctors office, this can be very expensive, and may not be covered by medical insurance. DNA paternity testing on prenatal samples is also more expensive, costing $400 or more for the lab fee only. A “peace of mind” DNA Paternity Test from Identigene will only cost you $150 total.

For more information on Prenatal Paternity Testing, talk to your doctor, or visit: http://www.dnatesting.com/dna-testing/prenatal-paternity-test.php

This process does required an invasive procedure performed by the mother’s OB/Gyn.  The mother in this case must be at least ten weeks along.  Between the tenth and twelfth weeks the procedure that must be performed is called a CVS (Chorionic villus sampling).  After the twelfth week and before the twenty-first week an Amniocentisis would be required to collect the sample for testing.   Because both of these procedures can pose significant risk in a pregnancy IDENTIGENE does not recommend these procedures when Paternity is the only question.  I would recommend consulting with your doctor or genetic counselor for more advice about these procedures and their potential risks.

After the sample for the child is collected to complete the DNA Testing a sample for the alleged father and mother must be collected with our cheek swabs.  This type of DNA Paternity test will generally take two to four weeks to complete once we have received your samples.  You can find more information about this type of DNA testing on our website at: http://www.dnatesting.com/dna-paternity-testing/prenatal-paternity-test.php.

While this DNA Test is not used as frequently as others it can be invaluable in resolving the questions that may be keeping you or a loved one up at night.   Next time, I will write more about the most common test we perform.  The DNA Paternity Test for peace of mind.  In the mean time if you have any questions or have ideas about DNA Testing topics you would like to hear more about send me an email at: kstyer@identigene.com