Children are gifts from God that are given to couples to help grow their family and cherish this bond. Parents are supposed to be the protectors of their children. They should keep them safe from all the troubles of the world. However, when, at times, there is uncertainty about the father of the children, a DNA test may be taken to establish paternity. A father can be ascertained using a paternity test while pregnant. A test carried out during pregnancy is highly accurate and reliable.
It requires the parties to agree to take the test. The test is quite effective and the best way to establish paternity before the birth of the baby. This allows the couple and the father to make a decision early on in the life of the baby. Hence saving their lives as well as the baby’s. It may also save the father from emotional and financial burdens in case the baby doesn’t belong to him. In this article, we will learn different ways of performing a DNA test while the mother is pregnant.
What does a DNA test during pregnancy mean?
A DNA test is a way of finding out information that is otherwise not visible to us. A DNA test while pregnant may be a good way of establishing paternity before the birth of the child. It allows the parents to decide before the child is born and save themselves from any troubles in the future.
A paternity test may be needed in case there are suspicions of infidelity or to confirm that the baby is his for sure. A DNA test before birth may also be taken to gain health insights of the baby. It allows the couple to look into all the genetic diseases their baby might inherit when they are born.
Types of DNA tests available before birth
There are quite a few types of DNA tests available before the birth of the baby. Some, like CVS & amniocentesis, are invasive procedures. At the same time, the NIPP test is a non-invasive procedure. All of them are quite similar but differ a little in the time it can be taken as well as the procedure.
- Chorionic villus sampling
Chorionic villus sampling is an invasive DNA test taken during pregnancy. It is a prenatal procedure that involves taking a sample of the placenta and sending it to the lab for further analysis. The sample is analyzed, and a detailed report about all the inheritable genetic diseases is provided to the parents. Paternity is also established using CVS. Gender determination is also possible in this test, and the test is taken between 10 to 13th weeks of pregnancy.
- Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a similar procedure to CVS. Therefore, in this procedure, a sample of the amniotic fluid is taken using an aspirating needle. This test is taken to gain disease insights into the baby, establish paternity, and also for gender determination. However, there are multiple risks involved in bringing this test, like cramping, bleeding, puncture of the vagina, infection, miscarriage, etc.
- Non-invasive prenatal paternity (NIPP) test
The NIPP test is the safest non-invasive DNA test available for a pregnant woman. It is secure, and the results are accurate as well as reliable. The test involves taking a sample of the mother’s blood and extracting cell-free fetal DNA. This CF-DNA is further given for analyzing the information present in it. In this way, similar insights regarding health, paternity, and gender are made available.
Advantages of early DNA tests
There are a lot of benefits one can think of when a DNA test is taken during pregnancy. Some of these advantages are given below:
- Timely detection of genetic diseases
- Establishing paternity
- Early gender reveal
- Finding out the overall appearance of the baby
Summary
Hence, a DNA test can be taken while pregnant. It is quite a useful tool. Choosing the right lab for DNA testing is also crucial. Choice DNA is the lab you need to find all your answers before birth. For them, client comfort is highly important, and every step is performed with care to avoid distressing the baby.
