Invasive Prenatal DNA Testing

Determine Paternity While Pregnant

Invasive prenatal DNA testing refers to procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) that directly sample fetal genetic material. While these tests can provide detailed genetic information about a developing fetus, they come with significant risks and considerations that expectant parents should be aware of.

Key Points about Invasive Prenatal DNA Testing:

1. Procedures: Amniocentesis involves extracting amniotic fluid, while CVS samples placental tissue.
2. Timing: CVS is typically performed between 10-13 weeks, amniocentesis between 15-20 weeks of pregnancy.
3. Diagnostic capabilities: These tests can detect a wide range of genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities.

Risks and Drawbacks:

1. Miscarriage risk: There’s a small but significant risk of pregnancy loss (about 1 in 300 to 1 in 500).
2. Discomfort: The procedures can be uncomfortable or painful for some women.
3. Infection: Though rare, there’s a risk of uterine infection.
4. Anxiety & Stress: The invasive nature of the tests can cause stress for expectant parents.

Why Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is Often a Better Option:

1. Safety: NIPT requires only a simple blood draw from the mother, eliminating the risk of miscarriage.
2. Early results: NIPT can be performed as early as 7 weeks into pregnancy.
5. Less Anxiety & Stress: The non-invasive nature of the test reduces stress for expectant parents.

While invasive testing may still be recommended in certain high-risk situations or for definitive diagnosis, NIPT offers a safe, accurate alternative for most pregnancies. It provides valuable genetic information without putting the pregnancy at risk.

At Paternity Verified, we prioritize the safety and well-being of both mother and child. We recommend our state-of-the-art Non-Invasive Prenatal Test as the option for expectant parents who want a DNA test while pregnant.