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Prenatal Paternity Testing: 5 Myths Debunked

Dec 28, 2017 | Paternity

Prenatal Paternity Testing - 5 Myths Debunked 

Many new parents who have questions about paternity don’t want to wait till after the baby’s born to do at-home paternity testing. There are many reasons why it’s a good idea to do prenatal paternity testing, and the process is actually quite simple from beginning to end. Even though DNA testing of all types has become mainstream, there are still some myths remaining about prenatal paternity testing. Let’s debunk the five most common ones.

MYTH #1: It Puts the Mother and/or Pregnancy at Risk

Before DNA prenatal paternity testing became the go-to test for paternity testing while pregnant, it’s true that some choices for testing could put the baby at risk. Collecting the baby’s DNA via amniocentesis, for example, is invasive and poses a slight risk for miscarriage. The same risk is present when doing a CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling). Most doctors will not perform either of these procedures for paternity answers alone, and the tests are extremely expensive.

A Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test presents absolutely no risk to either the mother or the unborn child.

MYTH #2: It’s Not Really Accurate

The test performed at DDC examines 2,688 SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) markers in the DNA to develop the data used to calculate whether or not the man being tested in the biological father of the fetus. If a man is the biological father, then probability of paternity percentages of 99% or higher can be expected. The technology has become so accurate that results of prenatal paternity testing from an accredited lab like DDC’s are accepted in a court of law.

Results are so accurate that a follow-up paternity test following the birth of the baby is not required.

MYTH #3: I Have to Wait Until Late in the Pregnancy to Test

With DNA prenatal paternity testing, free-floating fetal DNA from the mother’s plasma is analyzed and compared to the mother’s DNA profile. A woman used to have to wait until the 13th week of pregnancy to be tested, so that there was enough free-floating fetal DNA to establish the baby’s profile. Fortunately, that’s no longer true.

With today’s next-generation technology, this test can be performed as early as 8 weeks into the pregnancy.

MYTH #4: All Labs That Do This Testing are the Same

Absolutely not true! Although there are many low-cost labs out there who claim to provide accurate results, it’s wise to do some comparison-shopping. The DDC test is the only one on the market that has been validated and published. Check to make sure any lab you’re considering is fully accredited by AABB and other accrediting agencies. If that info isn’t on the company’s website, beware! The lab being accredited is only part of the equation. The court-admissible DDC prenatal paternity DNA test itself is the first and only one to be AABB-accredited. This means that only the DDC test maintains the AABB’s strict standards of accountability for prenatal DNA paternity testing, including analysis, PhD review, and documentation. That is a very big deal. Why trust such an important test to anyone else?

DDC analysis and testing processes set the gold standard in the industry for prenatal paternity testing.

MYTH #5: I Won’t Be Able to Afford It

When it comes to prenatal paternity testing, you really do get what you pay for. There are relatively “cheap” tests on the market, but they may be performed by labs that aren’t fully accredited or that include a “follow-up” post-paternity test to confirm results from the prenatal one. Prenatal testing does cost more than a postnatal test because of the more extensive analysis required to obtain conclusive results.

A quality lab offers payment plans to help make testing affordable.

Final Thoughts about a Prenatal Paternity Testing

Now that the most common myths have been debunked, hopefully your mind has been put at ease about the testing experience from beginning to end. Just be sure to choose a highly-accredited and respected paternity testing lab with years of experience and the best reputation in the industry. We understand this can be a difficult and stressful time, so our team of prenatal experts are caring, confidential, and knowledgeable. Feeling like your test is in good hands is priceless.

Call us at 800-929-0847: We’re here to help.

Do you have questions or comments about prenatal paternity testing? Share in the comments and we’ll answer.

 

94 Comments
  1. Vickie

    I have a question. How long before anyone that has used this service got results. How many days

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Vickie. Once DNA samples have arrived at the lab, results are posted in as little as 3 business days. The range for results is 3-7 business days. The length of time depends on how much testing is required to obtain conclusive results.

      Reply
    • Amanda

      At 2.5 months pregnant how accurate is that for a test? Also the day of our testing my husband said his cheeks were very dry. No saliva at all in his mouth when they did the cotton swab, does that affect the results?

      Reply
      • DDC

        Hi, Amanda. Thanks for testing with us. A prenatal paternity test is every bit as accurate as a postnatal one. When swabbing, it is actually cheek cells from the inside of the cheek that are being collected and not saliva. If, by some chance, there isn’t enough DNA on the swab to complete testing, results cannot be issued and we would simply suspend testing and ask for new samples.

        Reply
        • M

          Has there ever been a false exclusion for a prenatal dna test? I did a test at 7 weeks 5 days and got 0%, but I’m still worried about the accuracy! 🙁

          Reply
          • DDC

            Hi, M. If you tested with us, you can be sure the test result was accurate for the DNA samples we were provided to test.

  2. JG

    My result came back that the alleged dad was NOT the dad. I tested right when my 8 week started. Had it been to soon & there wasnt enough DNA would the test be able to catch that or could it be why i got the result i got??

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, JG. I’ll assume you tested with us. Had there NOT been enough fetal DNA to get conclusive results, testing would have been suspended, results would not have been issued, and we would have let you know. We then would have scheduled another blood draw for you a few weeks later, in the hopes that more fetal DNA would be present. Since you were issued results, the samples were sufficient for testing and you can trust the results you were given.

      Reply
  3. Madison

    Hi I was wondering if you run the test twice for accuracy? Also my results show the paternity percentage was performed by netera is that your lab? And have you ever had anyone report a wrong result after birth? My results came back at 99.9% that the father is who I want it to be so I’m trying to put my mind at ease now

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Madison. Yes, Netera is the lab we partner with for non-invasive prenatal testing, and you can rest assured these results are accurate.

      Reply
  4. Rebecca

    When I received my results via email I did not receive a breakdown on how they came up with the results. Was I suppose too? Also I am happy with my results but still very nervous if I can trust them bc of some of the reviews I have read about DDC

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Rebecca. Tens of thousands of data points are analyzed for prenatal paternity, which is why a breakdown is not provided in this report like it is with a postnatal paternity test, which generally analyzes 16 loci. We are a highly-accredited lab and our processes are sound and trustworthy. You’re always going to read positive and negative comments about any lab, including DDC. We find that most negative reviews come from people who weren’t happy with their results. If you have any further questions about your test, you are more than welcome to reach out to our prenatal specialists at 800-303-9085.

      Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Rebecca. Thousands of data points are analyzed for prenatal paternity, which is why a breakdown is not provided in this report like it is with a postnatal paternity test, which generally analyzes 16 loci. We are a highly-accredited lab and our processes are sound and trustworthy. You’re always going to read positive and negative comments about any lab, including DDC. We find that most negative reviews come from people who weren’t happy with their results. If you have any further questions about your test, you are more than welcome to reach out to our prenatal specialists at 800-303-9085.

      Reply
  5. Julie

    Here recently has DDC had any inaccurate prenatal DNA results? I have my results and I am very pleased with them but super nervous they could be wrong.

    Reply
    • DDC

      You can trust your results. No worries!

      Reply
    • Elizabeth

      We’re your results correct ?

      Reply
  6. Sandra

    If the child is a girl and the mother’s DNA is not available, what percent of accuracy would be required to differentiate between two potential fathers?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Sandra. In most cases, the mother’s DNA is not required to obtain a conclusive result. If one possible father is tested and the results show a 99% or higher probability of paternity, then the man tested would be considered the biological father and there would be no need to also test the other man. If the probability comes back 0%, then the other man should be tested.

      Reply
  7. Caterina

    How common is it that the mother’s BMI affectcs the amount of fetal DNA found in the blood sample? I am 5’4 and 300lbs I was 15 weeks when I had my blood drawn and the test came back as insufficient fetal dna for testing. I’ve ordered a second kit and I am now close to 18 weeks. What are the chances I will get the same results?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Caterina. Yes, what you are experiencing is actually quite common for people with higher BMIs, and you may experience it again with your next draw. Hopefully not!
      Here is a scientific paper about this very topic: http://bit.ly/2FPb2WQ

      Reply
  8. Lucy

    How many markers have to match to determine if the man tested is the father or not?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Prenatal paternity works differently than postnatal paternity; for our test we analyze over 2,000 SNPs.

      Reply
      • Lucy

        I did prenatal testing

        Reply
        • Kristen

          My test said they tested 1425 snps. N 2,304 tested loci. It said natera came up with my results. I got a 99.9% probability of paternity. On my paper it says DDC on the left and any lab test now on the right. Did they test enough snaps? Is my answrr correct.

          Reply
          • Kristen

            Can DDC answer this?

          • Sammie

            I’m in the same boat. Can someone answer ?

          • DDC

            Kristen, I’m sorry that I didn’t see this when you first posted it. We did the testing on behalf of AnyLabTestNow, which is why both logos are on your report. We test up to 2,000+SNPs when necessary to obtain conclusive results. In your case, 1,425 were enough. You can trust the report.

  9. Cristal

    I sent in a prenatal kit and it was negative results. I only slept with one other person during time of conceiving. I’m still nervous on how the results can be concluded as the man I tested was not the father. I pray the results is correct. I did not use DDC I used another prenatal testing site but I’m not sure if it is legit. My next option is waiting till I give birth in July to ask the hospital for a DNA test as soon as my daughter is born. I know all pregnancies are different but I feel this is similar to his first baby mother. Are all prenatal sites legit and if so are the results always 100 percent correct.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Cristal. I cannot speak to the accuracy of any other lab’s prenatal test results nor can I say that “all prenatal sites are legit.” That fact that you said you “sent in a prenatal kit” gives me pause, since prenatal testing requires a blood draw from the mother and that is done by a medical professional. Like with everything else, you do get what you pay for. For your own peace of mind, it may be wise to do another test after the baby’s born in July. All the best to you and your little one!

      Reply
  10. Deanna

    If the alleged father was excluded from the noninvasive paternity test should i have tested the other person?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Deanna. The test you did only answered the question of paternity for the man who was tested, yes. If you want to confirm someone else is the biological father, then additional testing would be needed.

      Reply
      • Deanna

        He is the only other possibility would it be necessary being that the first guy was excluded?

        Reply
        • DDC

          If you’re sure there’s only one other possibility, than no, you would not need to.

          Reply
  11. Deanna

    Also my report shows that my labs were done by Natera can I trust this??

    Reply
    • DDC

      Yes, Natera is our partner for non-invasive prenatal paternity testing.

      Reply
      • Deanna

        Yes I’m sure and thank you

        Reply
        • DDC

          You’re welcome!

          Reply
  12. Mj

    Can you please reassure me that my results are accurate? Have you had any tests in the past where the NIPP results were not the same after the baby was born? I got my results and am pleased as they were in my favor. Also the gender was accurate with the ultrasound but I just need to please put my mind at peace because my future really depends on this test.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Mj. If you tested with us, you can be sure your results are accurate.

      Reply
  13. Jill

    I recently did the non invasive prenatal paternity test through one of your partner companies who uses you for the lab. Since results are noterized can I trust them? I worry that I didn’t go directly through DDC but I called and it was confirmed they were a business partner. I got 0% so my worries are that the alleged fathers sample was only compared to my DNA and not the baby. Just worried due to false result reports on different websites from other woman. Thank you

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Jill. Even if you did your DNA collection through a business partner, keep in mind your test and the analysis were performed here at our laboratory. You can trust the results.

      Reply
  14. Lauren

    Does Natera analyze results for DDC my results state that parentage was determined by them.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Lauren. Great question! All testing is conducted at DDC, and we have a partnership with Natera to use their algorithm for calculating probability of paternity.

      Reply
  15. Kaley

    Hi,
    I got a 99.9% back that my boyfriend is the father, which I wanted. I’ve read on websites women have had false positives. I am just worried the results are wrong. I apologies. What are my chances of it being the wrong result? The gender came back correct confirmed by ultrasound. I am a mess and don’t want to go through this pregnancy saying it his and break his heart if its not.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Kaley. The only way a “false positive” can occur is if the woman also slept with a very close relation of the man being tested (say, his brother or father), and didn’t let the lab know of this possibility prior to testing. If the lab is told that the other possible father is a close relation to the man being tested, analysts can take this info into account and test additional markers, if necessary. Hope this helps!

      Reply
      • Kaley

        I know this probably not likely but what if it is his distant cousin? Would the test come back as a conclusion?

        Reply
        • DDC

          As distant cousins, they don’t share enough DNA to make any kind of difference. No worries!

          Reply
        • Kelly

          Was your test right Kaley?

          Reply
    • Duck

      Hi , I was wondering . I recently got with my boyfriend , who had a paternity test done between him and his alleged baby . And it came back 0% shortly after I became pregnant , and had seen one other guy .. (biggest regret of my life) and we did a prenatal test between us , and received a 0.00% which I am relived . I only want to have my boyfriends baby , but why different result ? Is there a difference between the percentages ? And can my results really be accurate ? I am still so nervous I can’t shake it . I called your facility and asked the exact same questions but the person I talked to did not sound confident and made me uneasy.

      Reply
      • DDC

        Hi, Duck. I cannot locate your email address in our system, so if you had a case with us, I cannot locate it. I’m having a hard time understanding your situation. Are you saying you did two separate prenatal tests during the same pregnancy, one with each possible father? And both results were exclusions?

        Reply
  16. Marly

    If I have a prenatal paternity test done at 7 weeks and there is not enough fetal DNA will I have to pay for another test?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Marly. Not if you test with DDC, no. If there doesn’t happen to be enough fetal DNA at 7 weeks, we have you do a recollection every 2 weeks until there is enough fetal DNA…all at no extra charge.

      Reply
      • Nancy

        Does that mean that the farther along you get in pregnancy the more fetal DNA mom will have? Have sent 2 tests and still do not know.

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hi, Nancy. In most cases, yes. But there are some women who never have enough fetal DNA in their bloodstream, most commonly due to obesity. If it turns out there is not enough DNA after multiple attempts at testing, we provide a refund.

          Reply
  17. Diana

    Hello
    I had a noninvasive prenatal test at 8 weeks the result came back 0.00% for the alleged father tested but the gender was undetermined. Can I be sure that my results were accurate because there wasn’t enough fetal DNA to determine the gender of the baby. Can you explain a bit more why the gender was not determined.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Diana.The markers we run in NIPP are not gender identifying. If gender is requested, that chromosome is running separately and requires (as any DNA marker used in a comparison) sufficient data or information; if the data is weak or insufficient, then we are not able to detect the gender identifier and therefore, report on it. Of course, this does not mean the child does not have gender.

      Reply
  18. Makynna

    I got a prenatal paternity test done on the alleged father and it came back 99%. Once my son was born he wanted another test done. And it came back 0%. I’m confused as too how it changed and I got a false positive?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Makynna. A prenatal test is every bit as accurate as a postnatal test. Was the postnatal test a legal, witnessed test? If not, there’s a good chance that the father submitted someone else’s DNA as his own.

      Reply
  19. Steph

    If I tested only one alleged father and the results came back cannot he excluded, is there any reason to test the other

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Steph. Unless the other possible father is a close biological relative to the man who was tested, then no.

      Reply
  20. Juanita

    Hi my testing came back as not excluded, so he is the father? Is there any reason I should have to test the other male? And has the prenatal non invasive ever been wrong

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Juanita. “Not excluded” means the man is considered the biological father of the child tested with the stated probability of paternity. Unless the other man is a close biological relation of the man tested, there is no reason to test him also. We stand behind the results of our test.

      Reply
    • Tamika

      Hi, I took a test when I was 9 weeks pregnant and I wanted to know how accurate are the results. I still worry about this…. the results came back 0.00% and I just want to make sure that my results are accurate

      Reply
      • DDC

        Hi, Tamika. I can’t speak for any other company, so I’ll assume you tested with DDC. The prenatal paternity test from DDC is AABB-accredited and you can be sure the results are accurate for the samples we were provided to test.

        Reply
  21. Oksana

    Hi , I did my DNA testing as early as I could. The first time it wasn’t enough fetus DNA in my blood and I waited for next two weeks for second blood test and I finally got my results a week later.The results came out the way I wanted but I still have doubts if they are correct because you didn’t ask potential father to send his samples again. I wanted to know if that is okay also , the first time when we were together at laboratory, the lab assistant asked us to go to his room separately and I didn’t see if he took for real potential father samples or not.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hello, Oksana. If this was a chain-of-custody test, you can be sure the lab assistant submitted the potential father’s DNA for testing. When a DNA recollection is needed for a prenatal test due to low levels of fetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream, it is standard practice not to collect the potential father’s DNA again and there is no need since his DNA was already analyzed the first time.

      Reply
    • Oksana

      Can you please send me again my result to my email address, because I deleted everything and don’t have case number

      Reply
      • DDC

        Hello, Oksana. You need to call us directly for assistance.

        Reply
  22. Sammie

    When I went and got the testing done the potential father was swabbed inside of cheeks and towards front of mouth. Like on his gums as well. I thought only cheeks are supposed to be swabbed. But does that effect anything if it wasn’t just his cheeks?

    Reply
    • Sammie

      This was the non invasive test

      Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Sammie. The only thing swabbing on the gums can do is make the swab excessively wet. If results were issued, then there was enough DNA on the swab to extract and use for testing.

      Reply
      • Sammie

        Okay. Thank you. Another question why does the site mention 2,688 snp? My test said using 1507 snp out of 2,304 tested. Does that mean test would still be accurate?

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hi, Sammie. We don’t always test every snp possible if conclusive results are obtained earlier in the testing process.

          Reply
          • Jean

            Yes, my test was done by a third party, but analyzed by DDC, and when I asked them why it didn’t have my name, they said they contacted you and that’s what they got back from you, that because the blood samples were not labeled with my initials, my name couldn’t be included in the results. So I’m concern if my results are correct even if my name doesn’t appear. Thank you in advance

          • Ggg

            Does the prenatal non invase paternity test Is done twice in the lab by to separates teams? As other paternitys?? I got 1572 From 2304 to my results are they accurate?

          • DDC

            Hi, Ggg. The lab tests as much DNA data as needed to receive a conclusive result. From what you said, that number for your test is 1,572. You can absolutely trust your result to be accurate.

  23. Karen

    What’s the difference between chain on custody and just peace of mind? Do labs treat results the same ? If choose not to do chain of custody do I have to worry about results not being correct.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Karen. Once samples arrive at our lab, the testing process is EXACTLY the same for both legal and home tests, so you can be sure the report is correct for the samples we were provided to test. The main differences between the two types of tests are: (1) How DNA is collected, and (2) How results can be used. You can learn more here: https://dnacenter.com/blog/legal-paternity-test-vs-home-paternity-test/

      Reply
      • Karen

        Does this apply for prenatal paternity as well ?

        Reply
        • DDC

          Yes, absolutely.

          Reply
          • Jean

            I did the prenatal paternity dna test and I received the results and they were 99.9% which I knew it was, but my concern is that the phlebotomist forgot to have me sign my blood samples, so the results came back and under mother’s name it just says mother, but under father’s name it says his name. So I’m worry if my results are correct and why they couldn’t add my name to it?

          • DDC

            Hello, Jean. From what you describe, it appears you ordered the test through a third party and so you’ll need to contact them to help answer questions about your report. Thanks!

        • Steve

          Hi. If a woman has recently terminated a pregnancy (like 1 to 2 months prior to taking this test) that she was going to have with one male, and then got pregnant again and did a prenatal paternity test with a different male and the results came back that this male was not the father of the new pregnancy, could it be a false negative due to the recent prior pregnancy from the first male? I ask this because the first male in question has taken two at home paternity tests with the child since she was born and both have also determined 0 percent chance of relation. This is a very troubling and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

          Reply
          • Steve

            *Meaning remaining fetal cells or something from the first pregnancy

          • DDC

            Hi, Steve. Fetal cells from previous pregnancies are shed very quickly and so most likely did not affect the prenatal paternity test.

  24. DREA

    When there’s a PhD review for accuracy does that mean they PERSONALLY signed it off or do they use a computerized signature of theirs for the dna report?

    Because my boyfriends who lives in island of Jamaica, had a dna swab test done, and his export came back, however, the dr that sign off the dna report there’s an exact replica of her signature online. I am wondering if ddc PhD uses computerized signatures instead of physically sign off the dna report? & both parties live in kingston, jamaica…do they send the results to Cincinnati, oh?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Drea. In most cases we use electronic signatures on reports, however, each case is reviewed by one of our in-house PhDs. Keep in mind the original results report is generated here at our laboratory.

      Reply
  25. Marissa

    If i had a baby over 2 years ago and one 4 years ago same father and I recently did a Prenatal Paternity test how accurate is the test? Will it mess up because of the previous child’s father ? I used DDC, what are the chances it picked up the other DNA from the other father from the previous children

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Marissa. The chances are non-existent.

      Reply
  26. Susan

    I have a question regarding prenatal testing. My daughter did a prenatal paternity test and the results showed her boyfriend was the baby’s father. They also did a postnatal paternity test and it showed her boyfriend was not the father. Now their world is destroyed. Her prenatal test was done by my daughter just pricking her finger with a lancet and collecting blood in a little collection tube and the biyfriends cheek being stabbed by himself. The postnatal test was done by the parents stabbing the babies cheekand the dads cheek. How can the results be different, which is most accurate, and should the definitely go to a hospital for a third professional test? The boyfriend is dead set the postnatal test is correct and he’s not the father. I say they need a third test. What would you suggest they do? Thank you in advance for your quick response to these questions.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Susan. I’ve never heard of a prenatal paternity test sample where the woman pricks her finger. For our test, the collection for the mother is done via venipuncture by a professional and the possible father’s sample is a cheek swab. It definitely appears that a third test is necessary, and your daughter should make sure it is a legal, witnessed test with court-admissible results.

      Reply
  27. Gggg

    Do you made The dual process tm, for a nippt peace of mind when the samples arrive ? Its 100% accurate results no mistakes orhuman errors?

    Reply
    • DDC

      You can be sure the test report is accurate for the samples we were provided to test. Our processes are stringent.

      Reply
      • Gggg

        Okey thanks i just want to know if the process Is the same for the nippt peace of mind. The dual process?

        Reply

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