In the event of a pregnancy, there are many measures that expectant parents take such as visiting an OB/GYN, checking the health markers of the unborn child, determining the gender of the baby, and more. Under some circumstances, it might also be necessary to take a prenatal paternity test to confirm the identity of the biological father. While this decision can be nerve-wracking already, there are a few myths surrounding the procedure that add further stress on the would-be parents. Hence, it’s time to dispel these 4 myths.
Misconceptions surrounding prenatal paternity testing.
It’s A Risky Procedure
This is an age-old myth that unfortunately still propagates today. Before the advent of non-invasive prenatal testing procedures, processes like amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling were used, which do pose a small risk of miscarriage. However, with non-invasive prenatal paternity testing, such fears can be put to rest. All it requires is a blood sample from the would-be mother, that contains cell-free fetal DNA, and a cheek swab from the potential father. Hence, it is a quick, painless, and risk-free procedure.
It Has Questionable Accuracy
Not only is it accurate, but the results are so clear-cut that most prenatal paternity tests are accepted as irrefutable proof in a court of law. If the potential father is the parent of the unborn child, then there is more than a 99 percent chance that it will be corroborated in the test.
It Can Only Be Done Later In The Pregnancy
Back when prenatal testing was a burgeoning technology, women had to wait till they were 13 weeks pregnant to get cell-free fetal DNA. Now, with advancements in technology, this test can be done with incredible accuracy at just 10 weeks of pregnancy.
All Labs Offer The Same Results
Since the test has a high accuracy rate, there is a misguided belief that all labs that offer this test are equal. However, the accuracy, service, waiting times and cost plays a huge role in making the right choice. Some major labs might provide accurate results, but may have a very long waiting time, not to mention the exorbitant cost of prenatal genetic testing. Thus, always choose a lab that prioritizes your case and also charges nominally for these services, such as Prenatal Genetics.
To conclude, if you or your partner is seeking a prenatal paternity test, then it’s best to be aware of these 4 myths/misconceptions.
From prenatal paternity testing to accurate gender identification of the unborn child, you can get it all done at Prenatal Genetics Laboratory. A state-of-the-art facility that is run by research scientists, we are experts in the field of non-invasive human DNA diagnostics. To know more about our tests and prices, contact us today.
