Can I Get Paternity DNA Testing While Pregnant?

How does a prenatal paternity test work?

The testing process for prenatal DNA paternity testing is based on the same principle as a standard DNA paternity test.

By examining the baby’s DNA together with the parents’ DNA, it is possible to identify which half of the DNA is inherited from the mother and which half is from the father.

If the tested man in indeed the biological father of the baby, both will share DNA. When the tested man is not the biological father, there will be differences in the DNA of the man and the baby.

What is a non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPP)?

A non-invasive prenatal paternity test is the safest and most accurate way to establish paternity during pregnancy.

Unlike other tests which involve taking cells from the placenta (chorionic villus sampling or CVS test) or extracting a sample of amniotic fluid (amniocentesis), all that is required for a NIPP test is a blood sample from the mother, and cheek (buccal) swabs from the mother and alleged father.

A NIPP test is the only prenatal paternity test that poses zero risk to mum or the unborn baby.

How is a prenatal paternity test done and what samples are required?

To perform a non-invasive prenatal paternity test, we need to look at three samples:

• The man’s DNA (alleged father) – collected using cheek swabs
• The pregnant woman’s DNA – collected using cheek swabs and a blood sample and
• The unborn baby’s DNA – identified via the mother’s blood sample

The baby’s DNA is passed into the mother’s bloodstream via the placenta during pregnancy. The test is performed by analysing the baby’s DNA and comparing DNA markers to that of the parents.

How do we know if the man is the biological father of the baby from a prenatal paternity test?

Once both the mother and alleged father’s samples have been received, the samples are sent to AlphaBiolabs’ laboratory where DNA is extracted from both parents’ samples.

DNA from the alleged father’s sample is extracted from the cheek cells collected via the mouth swabs. The isolated DNA samples are then amplified, and state-of-the-art equipment is used to carry out Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) – also known as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) – to analyse up to 153 DNA markers.

By comparing DNA markers in the baby’s DNA profile with the alleged father’s profile, it is possible to identify DNA that has been inherited from the biological father of the child.

If the man tested is indeed the biological father of the baby, both will share DNA in common. When the tested man is not the biological father there will be differences between the DNA of the man and the baby.

How conclusive are the results of the test?

We can provide a 99.99% probability of paternity where the father is confirmed as the biological father.

However, the scientific limitations of prenatal paternity testing mean that in a very small number of tests, a conclusive result is not always guaranteed.

Although other testing companies may promise guaranteed results, this is not true.

As a trusted and accredited laboratory, it is important for us to make you aware of this outcome.

In a small number of cases, the mother’s blood sample may contain insufficient cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the foetus, which can lead to an inconclusive result.

What happens if my prenatal paternity test result is inconclusive?

In the event of an inconclusive result, we offer an additional free of charge test with a newly collected sample, two weeks after the first test.

If this test is also inconclusive, we will perform a third and final test, also free of charge, after another two weeks. Please note that you are responsible for the cost of all blood sample collections.

In approximately 3-5% of cases, foetal DNA never reaches a sufficient level for successful testing. If this happens, AlphaBiolabs promises to refund the cost of your prenatal paternity test.

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

Please note that if you decide to cancel your test before we have had time to analyse all three samples, no refund will be paid due to the high cost of analysis.

Types of prenatal paternity test

At AlphaBiolabs, we offer non-invasive prenatal paternity testing only, using cheek (buccal) swabs from both the mother and alleged father, and a blood sample from the mother.

However, there are other options available for people seeking a prenatal paternity test.

These include a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test or an amniocentesis test.

What is a CVS (chorionic villus sampling) test and how is it performed?

For a CVS test, a small sample of cells is taken from the placenta and tested against cheek swabs from both the mother and the alleged father.
The cells are obtained from the placenta by guiding a thin tube through the cervix or using a needle inserted into the uterus to remove a sample of chorionic villus cells.
The test can be taken from as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. However, unlike a non-invasive test, it is not without risk.
In fact, a CVS test poses a 1% risk of miscarriage. In about 5% of patients, a CVS test is not possible, meaning a non-invasive test – such as that offered at AlphaBiolabs – or an amniocentesis test would be required.

What is an amniocentesis test and how is it performed?

An amniocentesis test can be done between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and is more commonly used to detect chromosome abnormalities or genetic disorders in the unborn foetus.
For an amniocentesis paternity test, your doctor will use a long, thin needle, which is inserted into the abdomen to extract a sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus.
This fluid is then used to retrieve foetal DNA, which is compared to the DNA collected from cheek swabs from the mother and alleged father.
As with a CVS test, amniocentesis poses a small risk of miscarriage (0.5%).

How can I get a paternity test done while pregnant?

AlphaBiolabs’ non-invasive prenatal DNA testing provides the most accurate way to determine paternity before birth.

Want to learn more about our Prenatal Paternity Testing? Call 01 402 9466 or email info@alphabiolabs.ie and a member of our Customer Services team will be in touch.