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Pros and Cons of a Prenatal Paternity Test

by HOMEDNA on 07/19/2021

There are many choices for a woman to make when she finds out she’s expecting, from what kinds of food she’s going to eat to which doctor she wants to see. With over 40% of children in the United States being born out of wedlock (CDC), many pregnant women are facing an additional choice: whether or not to have a prenatal paternity test.

This is a personal decision, and one that possibly comes with societal ethical and moral dilemmas attached. So before deciding whether or not to even consider such a procedure, it’s critical for a woman to have solid information about what her options are for prenatal paternity testing, the pros and cons of each, and the low-down on any associated risks and costs.

Prenatal Paternity Test Choices

CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling): Performed during Weeks 10-13

With this test, a doctor inserts a thin tube into the vagina. Guided by ultrasound, the device is gently inserted through the cervix, where it collects tissue from chorionic villi in the placenta. Chorionic villi are tiny finger-shaped wisps of tissue whose cells contain the baby’s DNA (HealthDay). A DNA sample is extracted in the lab and then compared to samples from the possible father and the mother. This process can also be performed by passing a needle through the wall of the abdomen (NHS).

PROS: You can have it done earlier in the pregnancy than an amniocentesis test (see below).

CONS: It is an invasive procedure that carries a slight risk of miscarriage. For this reason, most doctors hesitate to perform it or simply will not perform it for paternity test reasons alone. It is most often conducted to identify birth defects and disorders. Some studies also suggest it may cause defects in the babies’ fingers and toes (HealthDay).

COST: $1,400-2,000 for the physician. $400-1,000 for DNA testing

Some insurance plans cover the test, especially for women over 35 who have a higher chance of having a baby with genetic abnormalities. But most will not cover the procedure or testing if you want it only for paternity testing.

Amniocentesis: Performed during Weeks 14-20

A doctor inserts an ultrasound-guided needle through the wall of the abdomen and extracts a sample of fluid from the amniotic sac. For a test, it is a relatively lengthy procedure that can take approximately 45 minutes. The growing baby sheds cells into the amniotic fluid, which allows the DNA to be collected. Amniocentesis is primarily used to detect chromosome abnormalities and genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis and spina bifida, but since DNA is being collected in the process, it can be used for a prenatal paternity test.

PROS: It’s a test that’s very familiar to most OBs, and has a relatively high success rate.

CONS: Like the CVS test, amniocentesis is an invasive procedure that carries a small risk of miscarriage. And, because it is so invasive, many doctors will not do it strictly for paternity test sample collection. Although it’s extremely rare, sometimes a needle may come into contact with the baby (American Pregnancy).

COST: $600-2,000 for the physician. $400-1,000 for DNA testing

Again, be sure to check your health insurance plan carefully. Although amniocentesis is nearly always covered when there is a health concern, it probably will not be covered for only a paternity test. (Womens Health Advice).

Non-Invasive Paternity Test: Performed Starting in the 7th Week of Pregnancy

This option requires a blood sample from the mother and a cheek-swab or blood sample from the father. Fetal cells are shed into the mother’s bloodstream; the DNA from the cells is then isolated and a separate profile from the mother’s can be created through extensive and complicated testing (Womens Health). The baby’s profile is then compared with the father’s and a probability of paternity can be determined.

PROS: This paternity test can be done as early as 7 weeks into the pregnancy and is non-invasive, which means there is virtually no risk to the mother or baby. It does not require the involvement of a medical doctor, since blood and buccal samples can be collected outside a doctor’s office. When DNA testing is performed through an accredited lab, results can be 99.9% (+/-)accurate.

CONS: There is a small chance that a woman may have fetal cells in her bloodstream from a previous recent pregnancy (Womens Health). If this is relevant, it should be discussed with the DNA-test case manager

COST: Approximately $1,600

Prenatal Paternity Test vs. Postnatal Paternity Test

One of the myths of paternity testing is that a woman has to wait until after the baby’s born to get the answer she seeks, but that’s not the case. She can get answers before birth if she feels it’s in her best interest to do so. With advances in technology, today’s prenatal test is a safe choice.

Get more information about a prenatal paternity test

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.

Resources

“Amniocentesis.” American Pregnancy Association. American Pregnancy Association, 1 July 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://americanpregnancy.org/prenatal-testing/amniocentesis/>.

Henry, Sarah. “CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling).” CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling). HealthDay, 11 Mar. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/pregnancy-33/pregnancy-news-543/cvs-chorionic-villus-sampling-644471.html>.

Martin, Joyce A., M.P.H, Brady E. Hamilton, PhD, Michelle J.K Osterman, M.H.S, Sally C. Curtin, M.A., and T.J Mathews, M.S. “National Vital Statistics Report.” Systematic Biology 64.1 (2014): I1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 15 Jan. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_01.pdf>.

“Paternity Test In Pregnancy.” Paternity Test While Pregnant: Prenatal Paternal Testing During Pregnancy, Types Of DNA Tests, Methods, Risks, Costs, Amniocentesis, Chorionic Villus Sampling, CVS, Fetal Cell Non Invasive Options. Womens Health Advice, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.womens-health-advice.com/paternity-testing/while-pregnant.html>.

“What Is a Prenatal Paternity Test?” – Health Questions. Gov.UK, 28 July 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/what-is-a-prenatal-paternity-test.aspx?CategoryID=61&SubCategoryID=615>.

The Fascinating Trouble with Twins and DNA Paternity Tests

by HOMEDNA on 07/05/2021

Paternity testing can answer a lot of questions, but some of these questions are trickier to answer than others. Good examples are when DNA paternity testing involves twins, either as children or alleged parents. Identical twin fathers are by far the most difficult to detect due to their indistinguishable DNA samples; rarer cases, such as twin children with two different fathers, are much easier to solve despite their infrequent occurrence.

While reaching conclusive DNA test results when alleged fathers are identical twins is not impossible, the process is outrageously expensive and therefore cost-prohibitive for most folks. As medical advances in the field of genetic testing become more affordable and commonplace, it may become easier to answer these questions of paternity in the future. For now, those answers are fleeting.

Paternity test results with identical twins

There have been many cases in which the alleged fathers are identical twins. The DNA test results are almost always inconclusive since identical twins share almost identical sets of DNA.

Until recently, the consensus has been that identical twins share completely identical DNA, but recent studies show that isn’t necessarily true. Rather than looking at the standard 15 markers analyzed in today’s paternity tests, highly-advanced and impossibly-expensive DNA tests that analyze the entire genome sequence – as many as six billion markers – are able to identify at least a single mutation in one of the identical twins’ genetics that has been passed on to the child (Sapiro). However, DNA tests that are presently accessible to the public do not analyze enough markers to distinguish the two, presenting a serious problem in court cases to establish paternity for child support.

Hopefully, next-generation technology will be able to identify the differences between identical DNA in a way that’s affordable as well as accessible to the general public. Until then, paternity involving identical twins remains unsolvable.

Fraternal twins and different DNA test results

Unlike identical twins, it is possible for fraternal twins to have different fathers, though these cases are extremely rare.

This occurs through a process known as superfecundation, which is the fertilization of two or more eggs from separate acts of intercourse. Studies show that this is possible because the window of time in which a woman is fertile can span from five to seven days (Weller). While an egg only remains fertile for 12-48 hours, sperm can live in a woman’s body for four or five days, thereby expanding the possible time of fertilization (Wikipedia).

This process can only occur with fraternal twins. It is not possible for identical twins to have two different fathers since their identical genetics can only occur when one sperm fertilizes one egg and the resulting cell divides (Worland).

Superfecundation is assumed to happen more often with just one father; however, tests are only able to detect its occurrence when there are two different fathers. The latter group makes up for approximately 2% of paternity suits involving fraternal twins in the United States, generally drawing a lot of attention from the media due to its rarity (Worland).

Even though testing for superfecundation is rarer than administering paternity tests to identical twin fathers, it is a far easier mystery to solve. Provided the fathers in question are not identical twins themselves, modern-day DNA paternity tests can conclusively determine whether fraternal twins have different fathers.

Answering questions of paternity in cases involving fraternal twins

Court cases involving fraternal twin children with different fathers can be resolved with a legal paternity test without complications in the DNA testing process. However, you can always make sure ahead of time with an at-home paternity test from HomeDNA Paternity.

Do you have fraternal twins and suspect there may be two different fathers? Get the answers you need today with our paternity test kit. Click here to learn how it works.

How much does it cost to do a paternity test with twins?

Although you can use one HomeDNA Paternity kit to test twin children, you’re still asking two separate questions:

Is the man tested the biological father of Twin A, and
Is the man tested the biological father of Twin B?

Therefore, although you’re using one kit for the test, two separate lab fees are required. If you’re testing twins, it’s easiest to contact us directly to pay and let us set up the test for you. Just call 888-404-4363 during business hours.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.

Sources Sapiro, Anne. “Understanding Genetics.” Understanding Genetics. Stanford University, 5 Aug. 2014. Web. 21 July 2015.

“Superfecundation.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 21 July 2015.

Weller, Chris. “NJ Twins Have Two Different Fathers, Court Rules.” Medical Daily. Medical Daily, 08 May 2015. Web. 21 July 2015.

Worland, Justin. “The Science of How Women Can Have Twins With 2 Different Fathers.” Time. Time, 8 May 2015. Web. 21 July 2015.

How to Ask a Partner for a Paternity Test

by HOMEDNA on 06/28/2021

Updated: June, 2021

Asking for a paternity test can be uncomfortable, especially if you and your partner are in a committed relationship. Even when the conversation is handled delicately, there are bound to be hurt feelings and additional conversations that follow. While it may seem like a lose/lose situation, it’s far less painful to determine the father of a child sooner rather than later. To help prepare for this difficult discussion, consider the following.

If you are the potential father asking the mother for a paternity test

While it is possible to get a paternity test without the mother’s knowledge, it is highly recommended to include her in the process so as to get the most accurate results possible. Because you already know she is the mother, submitting her DNA with both the child’s and your samples provides genetic scientists two sets of DNA against which to compare, resulting in a more conclusive analysis.

If you wish to include her DNA in paternity testing for stronger results, it’s important to include a couple of things for clarification when having your discussion with her:

1. Explain your reasons for wanting to verify the child’s paternity

First, you should explain why you would like a paternity test, whether it is to ease your mind or eliminate even the smallest suspicions. However, remember that to avoid coming off as insulting or offensive, you shouldn’t be accusatory. Your respect for her will make the mother more likely to participate in the paternity testing process.

2. Have a rational discussion about your future involvement with the child and the mother

To make your desires clear, no matter what the paternity test results say, it’s necessary to discuss next steps. If results indicate that you are not the father, both you and your partner should have a clear idea of the child’s future. Do you want to stay in the relationship? Do you have any interest in being a part of the child’s life? If you are the father but do not wish to remain with your partner, are you ready to accept the legal responsibilities? A candid conversation about this will eliminate unnecessary stress and confusion as the paternity testing process moves forward.

If you are the mother asking the potential father for a paternity test

If you are unable or would prefer not to have this conversation, it is possible to get a paternity test without the father, but it will still require testing someone from his immediate family.

If you do choose to have this conversation and involve him in the process, there are several things you should mention:

1. Express interest in taking a paternity test for his own well-being

Explain that your interest in a paternity test stems from your concern for his own well-being. Informing him that you are not trying to deceive him and would like to give him the opportunity to know for certain if he is the father can reassure him and let him know your heart is in the right place.

2. Discuss the future of your relationship and the child in both possible outcomes.

The next important step in this conversation is to establish an understanding of what’s next, for both the child and your relationship. Discuss each of your wishes for both possible scenarios, whether he is or is not the father. Possible questions to consider are: Do you still love each other? Do you want to stay together, even if he is not the father? What would be best for the child? Expressing your opinions in all of these matters will give the conversation some closure with as few lingering concerns as possible. Painful as it can be, it’s best for all people involved (including your child) for the adults to have mature discussions and then make important decisions.

In the event that DNA test results prove a man is not the father, there are resources available to guide you through the next steps, whether he would still like to be involved in child’s life or take a legal paternity test to establish the child’s true parentage in court.

Asking a partner for a paternity test is hard, and the challenge does not end after your initial conversation. For information on organizations and services to get you through this difficult time, check out these other helpful resources.

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