Paternity testing can determine whether or not a particular man is the biological father of a child. To do this test, a small sample of bodily fluid, blood or tissue from a child or the pregnant mother and the potential father are collected and examined for DNA. DNA stands for "deoxyribonucleic acid" which is material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes, carriers of genetic information that are found in the nucleus of most living cells. DNA paternity testing can be done either during pregnancy through non-invasive tests from the mother's blood, or it can be done during pregnancy through invasive tests like chorionic villi sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. Both invasive tests carry small risks to the fetus, while non-invasive maternbal blood testing does not carry risks to the fetus. After delivery of the baby, paternity testing can be done from DNA obtained from the baby's blood othjer otther samples like scarpiongs from the baby's mouth.

In the past, DNA-based paternity tests were only available after delivery from DNA collected from the baby and the alleged father. It is now possible to do paternity testing during pregnancy and prior to birth with a simple non-invasive blood test from the mother and a DNA test from the father. This new test was reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. Fetal DNA testing from the mother's blood is p[ossible as early as 8 weeks in pregnancy without risk to the baby, because only blood is collected from the mother without the need of an invasive test. The test is done because cells from the fetus float freely in the bloodstream of the pregnant mother as early as 8 weeks of the pregnancy. Testing companies  can develop a DNA profile of the fetal cells and compare the profile to the DNA profile of the presumed father. A conclusive paternity test report can be delivered in as little as 3 business days after both DNA samples have been received.

Paternity Test During Pregnancy

If you have any questions about who your baby's father is then the most reliable paternity test method is testing for DNA, and it can be done before the baby is born! ... read more »

Who Can Request a Paternity Test?

A paternity test is often requested by the mother of the child. In these cases, the named father is in doubt of his paternity and will gladly consent to the test to clear his name. ... read more »

How Do You Read and Interpret a Paternity Test?

Reading and interpreting the results of a paternity test is not always easy. ... read more »

Paternity Testing and Cord Blood

In cases where paternity testing needs to be completed as soon after birth as possible, the umbilical cord blood can be used in blood DNA paternity testing. ... read more »

Paternity Testing Changes Makes Tests Safer

Current paternity tests must either be held off until the infant is born or involve amniocentesis to pull fluid from the amniotic sac for testing. ... read more »

Moms No Longer Have to Wait to ID Dad

The question of paternity is one many pregnant women face. Despite advances in our society and western culture as a whole, asking about paternity is still a touchy subject. ... read more »

How Early Can a Paternity Test Be Done?

In the first-trimester paternity testing involves an invasive procedure called CVS or chorionic villus sampling. ... read more »

DNA Testing During Pregnancy

Noninvasive Prenatal Paternity NIPP Testing can be done during pregnancy to establish biological paternity, to determine who the father of a person is. ... read more »

What is DNA Paternity Testing?

DNA paternity testing is done to determine who the baby's father is and it usually involves taking a sample from the father and the baby. ... read more »

How Can a Child Get Court Ordered Paternity Testing?

In order to have DNA paternity testing completed, the child will need to be in contact with the suspected father or the parents of the suspected father. ... read more »

Where Can I Get DNA Paternity Testing?

There are two methods of DNA paternity testing - the doctor initiated paternity test and the home paternity test. ... read more »

What Happens At the Paternity Testing Appointment?

During the paternity testing appointment, all paperwork will be completed and signed before the physical testing is started. There could be a large amount of paperwork, so calling the DNA paternity testing office before the visit is a good idea. ... read more »

How Much Does Paternity Testing Cost?

The cost of the paternity test will vary depending on the state where the test is run and the situation surrounding the paternity test. ... read more »

How Accurate is Paternity Testing?

Paternity testing is used to establish the biological paternal parent of a child. The paternity testing, like any other test, is close to 100% accurate but not completely 100%. ... read more »

Can Paternity Test be Done In Utero Before the Baby is Born

A paternity test can be done prior to birth of the baby through an invasive procedure like an amniocentesis or CVS chorionic villus sampling but now it can be done from a simple maternal blood test. ... read more »

Can a Paternity Test be Faked?

There are very few ways for a paternity test to be faked. If the blood or saliva is taken at the DNA testing facility, the results will be accurate. ... read more »