Prenatal Paternity Testing
Prenatal Paternity Testing Summary
A non-invasive prenatal paternity test can investigate biological fatherhood during pregnancy without taking a sample directly from the unborn baby. It uses a blood sample from the pregnant mother, which contains small amounts of cell-free foetal DNA, and cheek-swab samples from the possible father. Because the procedure involves a maternal blood draw rather than amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, it does not create a procedure-related miscarriage risk for the baby.
Our current prenatal service is offered from approximately 10 weeks of pregnancy. The mother’s blood must be taken by a qualified phlebotomist, while the possible father provides mouth swabs. Results are generally available about 10 working days after the complete case reaches the processing laboratory. The test is highly informative but not described as mathematically infallible; an after-birth paternity test can be used if further confirmation is required.
Prenatal paternity testing is generally a private, elective service rather than a routine NHS or insurance-funded test. NHS non-invasive prenatal testing is designed to screen for certain chromosomal conditions, not to establish paternity. A personal prenatal result will also not automatically meet the requirements of a UK court, the Child Maintenance Service or another official body.
Determine the biological father of an unborn baby from only 10 weeks pregnant
- Non-invasive sampling – 100% risk-free for mum and baby
- Expert sampling from trained professionals
- Results approximately 10 working days from sample receipt at processing laboratory
- Only £895 plus any sample collection fees
Contact us today using the form below or on 0203 603 1189
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Understanding Prenatal Paternity Testing
Waiting until a baby is born is not always practical. A non-invasive prenatal paternity test offers an earlier answer while avoiding an invasive procedure involving the pregnancy.
During pregnancy, fragments of DNA from the placenta circulate in the mother’s bloodstream. This is commonly called cell-free foetal DNA. A specialist laboratory can analyse the maternal blood sample and separate the genetic information relevant to the pregnancy. That profile is then compared with DNA obtained from the possible father.
When can prenatal testing begin?
The amount of foetal DNA in the maternal bloodstream increases as pregnancy progresses. Testing too early makes it more likely that the sample will not contain enough information, producing an inconclusive result or requiring a repeat blood draw.
Our service is therefore offered for around 10 weeks. Although foetal DNA may sometimes be detectable earlier, waiting until the stated gestational point gives the laboratory a better opportunity to obtain a usable profile.
Is the process painful or dangerous?
The possible father’s sample is collected with a painless cheek swab. The mother has an ordinary venous blood draw, which may cause momentary discomfort, bruising or light-headedness in the same way as other blood tests.
No needle enters the uterus and no sample is removed from the placenta or amniotic fluid. The non-invasive collection process therefore does not carry the miscarriage risk associated with invasive procedures such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis.
This distinction matters. Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing should not be confused with NHS NIPT, which also analyses cell-free DNA but is used to assess the chance of specified chromosomal conditions. It should also not be confused with invasive diagnostic testing for genetic disorders.
Accuracy and inconclusive results
A reputable prenatal paternity service should clearly explain its reporting standard, limitations and repeat policy. Our current service reports for or against paternity with a probability above 99%, while acknowledging a margin of error below 1%.
An inconclusive result does not automatically mean that anybody has been included or excluded. It often means that the maternal blood contained insufficient foetal DNA at the time of collection. In that situation, a later repeat sample may resolve the case.
Samples, appointments and results
The maternal sample must be taken by a qualified phlebotomist. Depending on the service, you may arrange a local appointment yourself or ask for assistance arranging a home visit. The possible father supplies cheek swabs, ideally as part of the coordinated collection process.
After collection, the complete case is sent to the specialist processing laboratory. The report is supplied securely and states whether the analysed profiles support or exclude the tested man as the biological father of the unborn baby.
Cost and funding
Prenatal testing costs more than an ordinary after-birth cheek-swab test because it requires a blood collection, specialist transport and more complex laboratory analysis. Additional charges may apply for the phlebotomist, courier, extra alleged fathers, repeat collection or posted reports.
Published prices can change, and the current prenatal page contains service and sample-collection figures in different sections. The safest approach is to request a written all-inclusive quote before booking.
Prenatal paternity is an elective relationship test rather than a medical screening test, so these tests are not available on the NHS
Personal versus legal use
Our prenatal service is for personal information. It is not automatically suitable for court, and cannot be used for immigration or child maintenance.
Step 1
Call our helpful advisors on 0203 603 1189 or message us here. We would like to discuss your test with you prior to ordering.
Step 2
Choose whether you would like us to arrange a home visit from a qualified phlebotomist (fees apply) or you can arrange your own collection through a local phlebotomy service.
Step 3
A non-invasive blood draw is taken from the mother and a simple mouth swab from the possible father and returned to the processing laboratory.
Step 4
The samples will be processed by our partner laboratory PaternitySafe®
Step 5
Secure results via a downloadable .pdf Test Report will be available approximately 10 working days from sample receipt at the processing laboratory. This will be sent to the test participants and ordering party if different, by e-mail.
Sample Collections
The mother and possible father should have their sample taken during the same sample collection appointment.
The non-invasive blood sample from the mother must be taken by a qualified phlebotomist. You can either:
- Book your own blood collection with your chosen phlebotomy service.
- We can assist you in arranging an at home appointment with our own qualified phlebotomists – additional fees apply.
The sample for the possible father is a simple cheek cell sample which will be taken during the same appointment where possible.
Your results
Results will be available within approximately 10 working days of all case samples being received at the processing laboratory. The day the processing laboratory receives your completed case is Day 0.
We will keep you updated every step of the way. Secure results via a downloadable .pdf Test Report will be sent to the test participants and ordering party, if different, by e-mail.
From the analysed samples, we will produce a report which will state with more than 99% probability that the tested father is, or is not, the biological father of the unborn baby.
The PaternitySafe® test can be performed on:
- expectant mothers in at least 10 weeks of gestation who have had an ultrasound scan
- single baby births
- monozygotic (identical) twin pregnancies
For technical reasons, the test cannot be performed if:
- the mother has a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 30
- the possible fathers are monozygotic (identical) twins
- the pregnancy is dichorionic (non-identical) twins
- the pregnancy is obtained from assisted reproductive techniques (IVF) with female
donor egg and a sample from the donor is not available.
In pregnancies that began as dizygotic or multiple twins, followed by the spontaneous abortion of one or more foetuses with resorption of the gestational sac (vanishing twin), DNA from the aborted foetus may also be present in the maternal blood. This could affect the quality of the results
Prenatal Paternity Testing FAQs
Are non-invasive prenatal paternity tests accurate?
They can be highly accurate when performed at the correct gestation by a specialist laboratory using suitable samples. Our current service reports with more than 99% probability while recognising that no test should be represented as incapable of error.
Are paternity tests while pregnant painful?
The alleged father uses mouth swabs, which should not hurt. The mother has a standard blood draw and may feel a brief scratch or mild soreness at the collection site.
Can a paternity test cause miscarriage?
A non-invasive blood-and-cheek-swab test does not involve entering the uterus and does not add a procedure-related miscarriage risk. Invasive prenatal procedures are different and should only be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Can you do a paternity test while pregnant?
Yes. A specialist laboratory can compare foetal DNA circulating in the mother’s blood with a cheek-swab sample from the alleged father.
Can you do a paternity test while pregnant in the UK?
Yes, non-invasive prenatal paternity testing is available privately in the UK. Confirm the earliest testing point, collection arrangements, intended use and complete price before booking.
Can you get a prenatal paternity test on the nhs?
Prenatal paternity testing is not a routine NHS service. NHS NIPT is a screening pathway for specified chromosomal conditions and should not be mistaken for a parentage test.
How does a prenatal paternity test work?
A laboratory analyses foetal DNA fragments present in a maternal blood sample and compares them with DNA obtained from the possible father’s cheek swabs.
How long do prenatal paternity test results take?
Our current stated turnaround is approximately 10 working days from receipt of the complete case at the processing laboratory. Collection, courier and postal time are additional.
How much is a prenatal paternity test?
It is substantially more expensive than an after-birth test because specialist blood collection and advanced analysis are required. Ask for a current written quote covering VAT, phlebotomy, transport, processing and reporting.
How much is a prenatal paternity test near me?
The answer depends on your location and whether a mobile phlebotomist is needed. Give us your postcode and request a total that includes collection and return transport.
How much is thatdnacompany prenatal paternity test?
Provider pricing changes, so request our current all-inclusive quote directly. Check whether collection, shipping, an additional alleged father and repeat sampling are included.
How soon can you do a prenatal paternity test?
Our current service begins at about 10 weeks of pregnancy. Earlier collection can contain too little foetal DNA and may increase the likelihood of an inconclusive result.
Is thatdnacompany prenatal paternity test accurate?
Accuracy should be judged from the provider’s current validated method, accreditation, participant requirements and reporting standard, not the brand name alone. Ask us for current performance information and limitations before ordering.
Is prenatal paternity test accurate?
A properly performed non-invasive test can provide strong evidence for or against paternity. It is still important to follow the gestational timing and collection instructions and to understand the provider’s stated margin of error.
What do prenatal paternity test results look like?
The result is normally a written laboratory report stating whether the tested man is compatible or not compatible with being the biological father, together with the supporting probability or statistical interpretation.
What does prenatal paternity test mean?
It means a DNA relationship test performed before the baby is born to assess whether a particular man is the biological father.
Where can i get a paternity test while pregnant?
Use a specialist prenatal relationship-testing provider that can arrange an appropriate maternal blood collection and explain where the analysis will be carried out.
Who does prenatal paternity test?
The mother’s blood is taken by a qualified phlebotomist and a specialist DNA laboratory performs the analysis. Our service currently works with PaternitySafe® for prenatal processing.
Will insurance cover prenatal paternity test?
Many policies regard it as elective rather than medically necessary, so routine cover should not be assumed. Ask the insurer for a written coverage decision before incurring the charge.
Which UK companies offer non-invasive prenatal paternity testing?
That DNA Company currently offers a private non-invasive prenatal service in partnership with PaternitySafe®. When comparing providers, check gestational timing, processing location, blood-collection arrangements, accuracy statements, repeat policy and whether the result is personal or legal.
The results of a prenatal paternity test can be a life-changing event and we would recommend that before ordering a test you think carefully about the potential outcomes and have considered if testing will be in the best interests of those involved.
Please note this test is for personal information only - this means that the results will not be accepted in UK courts by the Child Maintenance Service or any other legal body.