If you and your significant other are not married at the time your child is born, both parents’ names may not appear on the birth certificate. Most states require that an Acknowledgment of Paternity form be filed at the hospital for legal record. If this form is not completed, no father will be listed. There may be emotional factors at play between a couple, but the consequences of not testing can have a lasting effect on the child’s well-being. Determine whether a non-invasive prenatal paternity test is right for you and plan for your child’s future before he or she is even born.
How a Non-invasive Prenatal Paternity Test Works
A DNA test can be completed before the baby is born to ascertain paternity. There are several invasive methods, including an amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, which may be undesirable for many reasons. A non-invasive method is available and is considered to be 99.9 percent accurate.
To perform this test, a blood sample is taken from the mother and potential father. The mother’s bloodstream naturally contains elements of the baby’s DNA, which can be detected through an advanced technology process. The test is painless and comes with no risks. It can be completed at any point following the eighth week of pregnancy.
Like any other DNA test, this method looks at the genetic material and compares the similarities to determine a relationship match.
Benefits of Choosing a Non-invasive Prenatal Paternity Test
The benefits are many and include emotional, physical, and legal concerns. For peace of mind and personal well-being, it is always in the best interest of everyone involved to know the paternity of a child. Sooner or later, this child will be asking questions if the information is not made available. Uncertainty can lead to emotional and social difficulty, both for the child and his or her parents.
The most lasting concern may be that of legal and financial security. When paternity is established, a child is allowed access to social security, insurance, inheritance, and other essential benefits. Likewise, the legal father is crucial in determining eligibility for child support.
Choosing a Non-invasive Prenatal Paternity Test
A non-invasive prenatal paternity is simple and affordable. Be sure to ask questions and have all your concerns answered before choosing a company for testing. The lab should guarantee confidentiality of your information and provide information on its certification to process the test information. Some may offer payment plans or have a non-legal testing option when the result needs not be legally certified. Only you can choose the right direction to take. Talk with a genetic counselor if you are unsure about your options and need advice.
