When Should You Consider a Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test?
Confirming the paternity of a child when that relationship is called into question is extremely important. However, many people consider paternity testing to be something that is done well after the child is born. The truth is, prenatal paternity testing has come a long way and can offer parents the opportunity to confirm a child’s paternity before the baby is even born. This can answer a lot of questions and settle a lot of potential discord so that all parties can focus instead on the child’s well-being after birth. What situations would call for such an early paternity test in Jackson, MS? Keep reading to learn about just a few of them.
Understanding Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Testing
Before we dive into the reasons that you might want to pursue a prenatal paternity test, we want to put your mind at ease regarding the testing process. Many expectant parents hesitate to pursue early paternity testing for fear of harming their unborn child. Other methods of DNA testing, like amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, do pose a risk to either the fetus or the mother.
However, modern non-invasive methods of paternity testing involve analyzing the fetal DNA that is present in the mother’s bloodstream. It’s as simple as the many blood draws a pregnant mother will undergo during her regular prenatal checkups, and can be performed as early as the ninth week of pregnancy. This can offer reliable and accurate results very early in the pregnancy, which can offer everyone involved peace of mind.
Settling Doubts and Achieving Peace of Mind
Obviously, the main reason for someone to pursue prenatal paternity testing is to confirm who the father of the unborn child is. Paternity may be called into question for any number of reasons, whether because the conception occurred near the end of a past relationship or because the mother had multiple partners at the time of conception. Having a child’s paternity constantly questioned during pregnancy can cause a great deal of stress on the mother, as well as everyone involved. Early testing can put all those questions to rest, settle any lingering doubts, and give everyone a small measure of peace as the pregnancy moves forward.
Allowing Expectant Fathers to Be Involved
Many expectant fathers wish to be involved with their children before they are even born. They may wish to attend prenatal checkups and be present at the child’s birth. All of this is very difficult to do if paternity is not already clear. If the mother wishes for the child’s father to be involved, prenatal paternity testing can confirm that part of the baby’s parentage so that the father is offered the opportunity to attend these important events, and be a part of his child’s life from the very beginning.
Addressing Legal and Custodial Issues
Child custody is not just an issue to be addressed during divorces. Early paternity testing can allow both parents to begin planning for and addressing these complex issues well before the child arrives. Having a child custody plan in place from the time the child is born can prevent a lot of contention and confusion that would arise by waiting until after birth. It can also allow the mother and father to address financial issues pertaining to child support, so that both parties can properly plan for the impact the child’s birth will have on their finances.
Planning for Medical Considerations
Knowledge of the biological father’s medical history can be crucial for the healthcare of the unborn child as well as the mother. Prenatal DNA testing can alert you to the potential for genetic predispositions to certain health conditions or hereditary diseases, allowing you to receive more specialized prenatal care if needed, as well as preparing for any possible complications during and after delivery.
Handling Inheritance and Benefits Issues
In cases where the biological father has passed away, it may be necessary to confirm paternity to settle any questions regarding inheritance. This can be particularly important if the biological father has significant assets and his family is working to settle his estate; knowing for certain that he has an unborn child on the way can significantly impact how his assets are divided. Expectant mothers may also need to secure benefits for their child from a deceased father’s estate to protect and provide for their child’s future.
Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing provides a safe and accurate method for determining paternity very early in pregnancy. If you have any reason to question the paternity of your unborn child, look for a prenatal paternity test near me. Mobile Drug Screen offers these safe and accurate tests so that you can easily get the answers you’re seeking now, and can focus on your baby’s health and well-being from the moment they are born. Contact us now to learn how to receive your prenatal DNA test.