Prenatal Paternity Testing

The non-invasive paternity test uses a simple blood sample from the mother and therefore does not require a needle to be inserted into the womb.

We are also the only laboratory to hold ISO 17025 accreditation for our prenatal paternity testing.

With increasing numbers of babies being born as a result of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or surrogacy, DNA testing can provide confirmation and peace of mind as to the biological identity of an unborn child’s father.

Although mistakes are rare, as the fertilisation process takes place in a clinic or hospital, there is always a small risk of the wrong sample being used. This means that there is a possibility that the sperm donor may not be the biological father of the child.

A prenatal paternity test can help ensure any errors are identified before the baby is born.

All samples for this test (mother’s blood and cheek swab samples and alleged father’s cheek swab samples) must be collected by an AlphaBiolabs specially-trained clinician at our Dublin walk-in centre. Sample collection is included FREE OF CHARGE for our prenatal paternity testing.

Sample donors do not need to attend the same appointment, but the mother and alleged father’s samples must be collected around the same time.

This reduces the likelihood of the mother’s blood sample degrading, which can render the sample unusable.

The mother and alleged father do not have to attend the same appointment at the Dublin walk-in centre. However, we do recommend that both the mother and alleged father’s samples are collected around the same time.

This is because blood samples are time-sensitive and must be returned to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection, along with all cheek swab samples.

This reduces the risk of the mother’s blood sample degrading in transit, which can render the sample unusable.

If this test is also inconclusive, we will perform a third and final test, also free of charge, after a further two weeks.

Whilst we will conduct up to two additional tests free of charge, please note that you will be responsible for the cost of the additional sample collections required.

In approximately 3-5% of cases, foetal DNA never reaches a sufficient level for successful testing. If this happens after we have performed three tests, AlphaBiolabs promises to refund the cost of your prenatal paternity test (please note this refund will not include the cost of any additional sample collections).

We are the only testing company that offers this money-back guarantee.

Please note if you receive an inconclusive result and decide to cancel your test rather than proceeding with the additional second and third free-of-charge tests, we will be unable to offer a refund.

Results can be made available in 5-7 days* depending on the level of service you choose. Our express service can get your results back to you in just 4 days* (for an additional €200).

*working days from when the samples arrive at our laboratory before 10am

Alternatively, you can email info@alphabiolabs.ie or call Customer Services on 01 402 9466. We can talk you through the process and outline the next steps.