Facts About Paternity Testing Post Natal And Prenatal

By Author: Glenn Farrier
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When a woman has had several partners and gets pregnant, there is a possibility for her to be unsure who the real father of the child is. This is why paternity testing is important, not just for the mother, but for the baby and the father who also deserve to know the truth. Paternity testing is a scientific process that involves DNA analysis to establish the parenthood of an alleged father.

Verifying paternity is crucial in a child’s life as this will allow him/her to enjoy the rights and privileges that justly belong to him/her. By knowing who the real father is, the child will have all the rights to enjoy any social, health care, and legal benefit he/she can get for being the son/daughter. These benefits include birthright and social security benefits. But most of all, establishing paternity is essential in order for a father-child relationship to be possible. A mother’s love and care maybe enough for a child but nothing compares to having the presence and support of both parents.

Postnatal and Prenatal Paternity DNA tests

There are actually 2 general types of paternity testing. The first one is the ...
... Postnatal DNA test which is done after the mother delivers the child. This type of test is performed by collection and analysis of cheek swab (from inside the cheek), blood, or umbilical cord.

The second type is the Prenatal DNA test which is done while the child is inside the womb. Under this type, there are actually 3 kinds of tests to choose from – the Amniocentesis, Chorionic Villus Sampling, and SNP Microarray. Amniocentesis is done during 4-6 months of pregnancy wherein amniotic fluid is taken from the uterus via the abdomen, using a very small needle. Chorionic Villus Sampling is quite identical to the Amniocentesis process. In CVS a needle is inserted through the abdomen in what is called Transabdominal CVS or a catheter can be inserted through the vagina in what is called Transcervical CVS and into the uterus walls where the Chorionic villi tissues are located. Both Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling utilize ultrasound technology to perform the paternity test. The third type is the SNP Microarray, a modern and much simpler test that makes use of the child’s DNA in the mother’s blood. The SNP Microarray is the most accurate among the 3 kinds of Prenatal DNA test.

Karl McDonald writes articles about Paternity testing in South Africa tackling the topic from various angles including legal DNA testing and Home DNA Testing. The authors has been regularly contributing to online blogs and info sites and recently shifted focus to Prenatal Paternity Testing and fetal health tests.