Prenatal Paternity Test

During a prenatal paternity test, it may happen that the blood sample does not yet contain enough fetal DNA to allow the analysis. Recommendations indicate a possible sampling from the 7th week of pregnancy based on an average pregnancy, but each pregnancy progresses differently: the amount of baby DNA in maternal blood can vary from one person to another.

An insufficient sample does not mean that there is a problem with the pregnancy. However, a stressful or complicated pregnancy can sometimes influence the circulation of fetal DNA. If the DNA quantity is too low, the laboratory will ask you to take a new blood sample after two weeks; additional costs may apply.

It is important to note that no result error can be caused by an earlier membrane layer or by a previous pregnancy: the DNA fragments analyzed

No. The prenatal paternity test is totally non-invasive and safe for the mother as well as for the baby, as it is based only on a maternal blood sample. Conversely, invasive methods such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) carry a risk of miscarriage, which is not the case with this test.

No. If the men concerned are closely related (brothers, father and son, uncles, etc.), prenatal DNA analysis cannot distinguish their profiles reliably. In this case, it would be necessary to wait for the birth to perform a classic paternity test.

Can a prenatal paternity test be done in case of twin pregnancy?

No. The prenatal paternity test is not feasible when the mother is expecting twins or a multiple pregnancy, because the fetal DNA present in the maternal blood comes from several babies and cannot be analyzed separately.

In the majority of cases, a prenatal paternity test is not considered legal, because the necessary samples (blood test and saliva sample) are generally not performed by an accredited professional according to judicial requirements.

However, some laboratories offer a legal prenatal test option, allowing to obtain a report admissible before a court. In this case, the father's and mother's samples must be performed and certified by an authorized independent third party, guaranteeing the chain of control required for a legal analysis.

A prenatal paternity test can determine the father's identity from the beginning of pregnancy, which can help some women make an informed decision in complex situations. The test can be performed from the 7th week of amenorrhea, when fetal DNA circulates sufficiently in the maternal blood.

Abortion, as for it, can be performed very early in pregnancy, generally between 4 and 22 weeks, depending on the legislation in force. The earlier the procedure is performed, the fewer risks it presents for the mother. For this reason, anyone considering a prenatal test in a decision-making context should organize quickly to avoid stress and medical delays. It is often recommended to schedule a preventive appointment at the clinic, even if the decision is not yet final.

It is important to note that laboratories generally specify that their tests should not be used for the explicit purpose of preparing an abortion. Their role is exclusively to analyze DNA and provide reliable biological information, without intervening in personal or medical choices.

In most cases, a prenatal paternity test is not recognized as a legal test, because the samples (blood test and saliva swabs) are generally not taken under the control of an accredited professional. Consequently, the results are not admissible before a court.

However, some laboratories can offer a legal prenatal test option. In this case, all samples must be taken and certified by a qualified independent third party, to guarantee the chain of custody required for legal use. It is therefore essential to verify directly with the laboratory if this option is available.