DNA & Paternity Testing - When Is The Right Time
DNA & Paternity tests can be taken before and after a child is born. However, there are certain times that pose more risk to the child than others. Below will outline what tests can be done during the stages of your childs life.
There are several reasons why a DNA test is done during pregnancy. The testing of your unborn child can be done to establish paternity, test for inherited genetic diseases or test for abnormalities. If a mother is 10 to 13 weeks pregnant, a collection of DNA will be taken by way of chorionic villus sampling which means her doctor will insert a very thin needle or tube into her womb through the vagina and cervix and this will be guided by an ultrasound. The sample will then be tested and analyzed.
If she is 14 to 24 weeks pregnant, the sample is collected by what is called an amniocentesis. This is a procedure where a long thin needle is inserted through the abdomen into the womb and is guided by ultrasound. The needle collects a small sample of amniotic fluid in which the child’s DNA can be tested.
If the mother is past 24 weeks pregnant, a doctor will advise her to wait until the baby is born to collect a DNA sample. To wait will pose no risk to the baby, but can pose a risk to the unborn fetus if done while pregnant. Most doctors will not perform DNA testing to an unborn fetus for the sake of establishing paternity because of the risks. Paternity tests are just as accurate if the mother waits until after her child is born and is really the better alternative.
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