Prenatal Paternity Test and Abortion

A prenatal paternity test can determine, before birth, whether a man is the biological father of a fetus. Carried out during pregnancy, it may provide a rapid answer in a complex personal situation, especially when the question of whether to continue the pregnancy arises. Today, both invasive and non-invasive methods exist, each with specific requirements and timelines to consider. In England, paternity testing and abortion care are also subject to a clear legal and medical framework.

What is a prenatal paternity test?

A paternity DNA test compares a presumed father’s biological sample with that of the child in order to assess whether a biological relationship exists. Depending on the laboratory and the method used, the result may indicate a very high probability of paternity or exclude it. When the analysis is carried out during pregnancy, it is known as a prenatal paternity test.

The two types of prenatal paternity tests

Invasive prenatal testing: amniocentesis or CVS

The first type of test relies on invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS). CVS involves collecting placental cells directly from the placenta using a catheter or needle. Amniocentesis involves collecting a small amount of the fluid surrounding the fetus. These methods require a medical procedure and involve risks for both the mother and the baby.

Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing

A non-invasive prenatal paternity test is based on a simple blood sample from the mother and a saliva sample from the alleged father. The laboratory analyses fetal DNA circulating in the mother’s blood and compares it with the DNA of the tested father to determine whether a biological link exists. This method is considered non-invasive because it does not require any direct procedure involving the fetus.

The principle behind this test lies in the biological exchanges between the mother and the fetus through the placenta. The mother supplies nutrients to the baby, but fragments of the baby’s genetic material also circulate in the mother’s bloodstream. This is the genetic material laboratories use for DNA comparison. To understand this process in more detail, see our guide to the prenatal paternity test.

Why this test may be considered in an abortion decision

A prenatal paternity test may identify the baby’s father early in pregnancy. In some complex personal situations, that information may influence the decision whether to continue the pregnancy. This is why the test may sometimes be considered in a context where abortion is also being discussed. Laboratories nevertheless state that they do not accept the use of their analyses for that purpose. Access to abortion, the time limits involved and the medical framework all depend on the laws and healthcare rules in force in each country. In England, the medical framework is explained clearly in the NHS guide to abortion care.

Under what conditions can a prenatal paternity test be done?

To carry out a non-invasive prenatal paternity test, several conditions must be met.

Required conditions

The mother usually needs to have the blood test from 9 weeks of amenorrhoea, which is around 7 weeks of pregnancy. The test also requires the participation of the pregnant mother and the alleged biological father.

Situations where the test cannot be performed

The test cannot be carried out in several situations, including:

• in vitro fertilisation (IVF);

• twin or multiple pregnancy;

• if the mother has cancer or pre-eclampsia;

• if the mother has received a blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant, organ transplant or stem cell treatment.

Particular case: alleged fathers from the same family

On the father’s side, the analysis is carried out using a saliva sample. However, if there is doubt between several men from the same family, prenatal paternity testing cannot be performed reliably. In that situation, it is necessary to wait until after birth and then use a standard paternity test.

From what stage of pregnancy can the test be done?

Organisation is essential, because this test can only be carried out from around the 7th week of pregnancy, which is the stage at which fetal DNA becomes sufficiently present in the mother’s blood. Before that point, the amount of the baby’s DNA may be too low, which can make the result imprecise or prevent the analysis from being completed.

In practice, if the sample is taken too early, the laboratory may request a second blood sample around two weeks later. The test itself is not always charged again, but additional shipping costs may apply.

How do you do a non-invasive paternity test?

The process is usually done remotely. The test can be ordered online from a laboratory, which then sends a home sampling kit. Once the samples have been collected according to the instructions, they must be returned to the laboratory for analysis.

Samples required

The analysis requires:

• a blood sample from the mother;

• a saliva sample from the alleged father.

As laboratories do not usually provide a prescription and this type of test is not available in pharmacies, it is advisable to ask a healthcare professional to carry out the blood draw: a home nurse, doctor or local laboratory. For this step, our article on how to take a blood sample for a prenatal DNA test is the most relevant resource.

Analysis time and receiving the results

Once the samples have been returned, the analysis generally takes 5 to 7 working days from the date they arrive at the laboratory. Transport time is not included in that timescale. Results are then usually sent by email, most often in the form of a table showing a percentage of biological relationship.

How should the results be read?

Results are usually presented in a simple way:

• 99%: the test is positive, and the tested father is considered the biological father of the fetus;

• 0%: the test is negative, and the tested father is not the biological father of the fetus.

Laboratories do not necessarily disclose the full technical data from the analysis, especially when the sequencing method used is proprietary.

Abortion after a paternity test

A prenatal test can provide an answer about the identity of the father very early in pregnancy. For some women, that information may arrive at a time when a decision has to be made quickly. The time available to decide is often short, which makes planning essential when a prenatal paternity test is being considered in this context. In England, abortion care is provided through an NHS hospital or a licensed clinic, and in most cases in England, Wales and Scotland it is carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

According to the situations discussed across the site’s content, an abortion may be performed very early after pregnancy is discovered, sometimes from around 4 to 6 weeks after the start of pregnancy, and up to later limits depending on the country and the medical situation. It is therefore essential to remember that the legal framework differs significantly from one jurisdiction to another.

The original text also stresses that a procedure performed earlier in pregnancy generally exposes the mother to fewer risks than one carried out later, when the pregnancy has progressed further.

How to organise things when a paternity test is needed quickly

Anticipate an appointment

When a decision has to be made within a tight timetable, it may be helpful to arrange the abortion-related appointment in advance, even if you ultimately decide not to attend because the situation changes in the meantime. The aim is to preserve room for manoeuvre during the analysis period.

Choose an express analysis

Some laboratories offer an express option that allows a result to be obtained more quickly, often within 3 to 5 working days. That time saving can be decisive when the decision depends on the outcome of the test.

Reduce logistical delays

Organisation remains central: receiving the kit quickly, carrying out the samples without delay and returning them as soon as possible can save valuable time.

Doing the test too early: a risky gamble

Some people consider sending samples before the recommended threshold. The original text points out that every pregnancy is different, but that this remains risky. If the samples are taken too early, the laboratory may require a second sample two weeks after the first blood draw. The test is not necessarily billed again, but additional return costs may be added.

Conclusion

Prenatal paternity testing and abortion is a sensitive subject involving parentage, biological timing, logistical constraints and a medical and legal framework. The non-invasive test can provide an answer before birth through a maternal blood sample and a saliva sample from the alleged father, but it can only be performed under specific conditions. When it forms part of a pregnancy decision, planning ahead is essential in order not to lose valuable time. In England, it is also important to remember that paternity testing is governed by consent rules, and court-admissible DNA testing must be carried out by an accredited laboratory, as explained in the GOV.UK guidance on DNA tests used in court.