A DNA paternity test can be performed accurately before a child is born through amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Chorionic Villus Sampling is usually performed at very early stages of pregnancy, generally around the 8th to 13th week of pregnancy. During the CVS procedure, a catheter is inserted through the cervix and a small sample is taken from the outside of the gestational sack by gentle suction. This sampling procedure allows the obstetrician to obtain a small amount of fetal chorionic villi (trophoblastic tissue) which is used for the paternity test. Paternity tests conducted using CVS samples are just as accurate as tests which are performed after the child is born.
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is generally performed at later stages of pregnancy. During an amniocenteses procedure, a small amount of amniotic fluid (10ml) is withdrawn transabdominally by your obstetrician. Amniotic fluid is also an excellent sample for paternity testing; paternity tests which are performed using amniotic fluid are just as accurate as tests conducted after the child is born.
Whether you choose chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, results are usually available 3 to 5 working days after specimen collection. There may be additional charges imposed by your obstetrician for collecting the sample prenatally.
Risks
Although a DNA paternity test can be easily performed using either a chorionic villus sample or amniotic fluid, it should be noted that both procedures carry some risk to the fetus. Studies have indicated that the chances for fetal loss are increased by 0.5% for amniocentesis and 1% for chorionic villus sampling.
Genetrack recommends patients who are considering prenatal DNA to consult with their obstetrician before initiating the DNA test. Patients who are considering prenatal testing should consider refraining until the child is born to reduce fetal risk, unless testing absolutely necessary or if an amniocentesis is already scheduled to be performed for other purposes.
If you are in a hurry to know the paternity of your child, you can also consider testing the child at the time of delivery using umbilical cord blood, which will pose no risk to the child. Genetrack will be able to provide results 3 to 5 working days after the samples are collected. If you would like test the child at the time of delivery, please contact Genetrack in advance to arrange for testing and to have an umbilical cord blood collection kit forwarded to your physician before the due date.
If prenatal testing is determined to be necessary, Genetrack offers rapid and accurate results within 3 to 5 days for prenatal paternity testing. The cost for a DNA paternity test involving a Chorionic Villus Sample or an amniotic fluid sample is the same as a standard paternity test. Sample collection is arranged by the patients with their obstetrician, and any fees imposed by the obstetrician for the amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling procedure are the responsibility of the patient. Once an appointment is arranged with your obstetrician, our laboratory will contact your obstetrician directly to arrange the details for specimen requirements. Comprehensive results stating inclusion of 99.9% (or more) or exclusion of 100% will be provided for all prenatal tests.
To schedule an appointment for prenatal DNA paternity testing (or testing at birth using umbilical cord blood), or to receive current pricing or an information package, please contact Genetrack in person, by phone, or online. Our DNA advisors will be able to answer any questions you may have or to help you to schedule an appointment for testing.
By phone: 1-888-828-1899 or (604) 325-7282
By Fax: 1-888-655-8877 or (604) 325-2208
Email: support@genetrack.com
Appointments can also be arranged online by using the secure online appointment booking form.