2. The Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test
To do the test, a small volume of fluid is collected from the pregnant mother’s womb is by inserting a needle through the abdomen in a process called amniocentesis. The child’s sample can alternatively be obtained through a process called chorionic villus sampling (CVS) where a sample of tissue from the placenta is collected by passing a needle through the wall of the abdomen, or passing a small tube through the vagina and the neck of the womb (cervix). The amniotic fluid or CVS samples are used to get the child’s DNA profile and compared with the alleged father’s sample. The mother’s sample is also collected.
The alleged father’s sample and the mother’s samples are preferably obtained using buccal (mouth swabs).
Amniocentesis and CVS Sampling are associated with several risks however. Women who undergo amniocentesis or CVS sampling are at an increased risk of cramping and bleeding. Nearly 1% of women who go through these procedure also stand at a small risk of miscarriage. If you need to do this test, you will need to consult your obstetrician gynecologist or family doctor first. Alternatively, you can consider the non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPPT) which is 100% safe.
