Can You Do a Paternity Test on an Unborn Baby?
If a woman has had multiple partners and becomes pregnant, she might not know which man fathered her baby. Due to financial or emotional reasons, it is possible she will become one of the growing numbers of women worldwide who seek to find answers during pregnancy. Paternity testing can be performed on an unborn baby, but potential parents need to take into account all of the emotional and physical risks before proceeding with a DNA test during pregnancy.
Significance
In order to collect the genetic material necessary for a DNA test on a baby in utero, a woman has to submit to invasive testing. These tests can pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of the unborn child. Potential side effects for both of these procedures include miscarriage, preterm labor and delivery, fetal trauma and respiratory distress. A doctor's consent is needed to perform these procedures, and most doctors recommend waiting until after the baby is born to test for paternity.
Types
Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS)
The American Pregnancy Association (APA) recommends that this testing be done between the 10th and 13th weeks of pregnancy. CVS sampling involves collecting cells from the chorionic villi, which are tiny pieces of tissue attached to the lining of the uterus. These small pieces of tissue come from the same egg as the fetus, making them genetically equivalent. The material is collected via a small catheter or tube, which is inserted into a woman's cervix while guided by ultrasound.
Amniocentesis
The APA suggests that amniocentesis testing occur between weeks 14 and 20 of a woman's pregnancy. Using ultrasound to ensure the correct placement, a thin needle is inserted into a woman's abdomen and into her uterus to collect amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac. This fluid contains fetal cells, which can then be cultured and used for paternity testing.
Considerations
Prenatal testing usually costs between $400 and $2,000, with prices varying according to the type of testing chosen. Paternity tests are not considered medically necessary, making it unlikely your health insurance policy will cover the testing. The collection fee for the amnio or CVS is billed separately by the OB/GYN that performs them, and these tests might be covered by your insurance if they are recommended for medical reasons. Check with your insurance company for information on their policies regarding these types of tests. DNA samples will need to be collected from the mother and any potential fathers. The mother must consent to this procedure, and her sample is essential since the fetal samples will consist of cells from both the baby and the mother.
Legal Ramifications
If the results are to be accepted in a legal setting, the DNA lab must follow the Chain of Custody documentation process. This is a specific procedure endorsed by the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks), the national accrediting agency for DNA testing laboratories. They have established a strict collection process, which adheres to several legal requirements, including ensuring information is collected by a neutral third party and that the individuals tested are clearly identified.
Potential
While this procedure can bring peace of mind to some women, others will find that the results were not those they wanted. The emotional impact of paternity testing on a relationship cannot be ignored. It has the potential to end a relationship or damage it considerably. Ethical concerns relating to this testing focus on abortion since some experts feel that a woman might be more likely to abort a baby who has an undesired father.
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