When you’re expecting a baby, there are so many things that you must do in order to prepare for your son or daughter’s arrival. You have to get their nursery ready. You have to find them a pediatrician. And, in some instances, you may also need to do some DNA testing in order to determine the paternity of your pregnancy.
Although there used to be a time when this kind of testing was reserved for after a child was born, thanks to the progression of technology, you also have the option of conducting DNA tests while you’re pregnant as well.
If this sounds like something that you would be interested in doing, before setting up an appointment, here are some pros and cons to keep in mind:
The Pros
There are a couple of benefits that come with conducting a DNA test, even during one’s pregnancy. The first one is that it’s extremely accurate. Therefore, you can be confident that when the DNA test comes back, you can trust the results. And because that is the case, once you are clear about the paternity of the father, you can better understand how to proceed as it relates to parenting plans and possibly filing for child support.
The Cons
That’s not to say that there aren’t some risks that come with having a DNA test during your pregnancy. Although you can typically test for DNA with an oral swab, when you’re pregnant, there are two other methods that are usually used.
One is an amniocentesis. This kind of test is conducted between the 12th and 21st week of your pregnancy. Amnio fluid is then pulled from the uterus and tested. It’s a common procedure although it should be noted that risks include cramping, vaginal bleeding, loss of amniotic fluid and in some cases, miscarriage may happen as well.
The other kind of DNA test that is offered to pregnant women is Chorionic Villus Sampling (also known as CVS). This test takes place in between your 10th and 13th week. A needle goes through the vagina and into the cervix in order to get a sample of your chronic villi, which is tissue that is located on the wall of your uterus. It’s important to know that there are risks that come with it as well. Miscarriage is one. A potential loss of your child’s fingers and toes is another.
Say that you called the DNA Diagnostic Center in order to get some advice on DNA paternity testing. Due to the risks that come with DNA testing, they would probably tell you that it’s important that you have a consultation with your doctor before making a DNA appointment. If your physician determines that a DNA test will put your child in danger, although getting the test may be desirable, it really is best to wait until after the baby is born. For information on DNA centers within your city, go to your favorite search engine and put “DNA testing”, along with your city and state in the search field.