Amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Prenatal paternity testing is most often performed by using amniotic cells for the child's specimen. The mother's doctor can perform amniocentesis, to extract amniotic fluid. The fluid is then sent to PTC Laboratories for testing.

There is often significant cost to perform the amniocentesis. More importantly, the amniocentesis presents medical risks to the mother and the child. You should discuss those risks with your doctor. Because of those risks, most doctors prefer not to perform an amniocentesis unless there are medical reasons requiring the procedure. If the mother is going to have amniocentesis for medical reasons, then the paternity DNA testing can be performed from the same sample.

Another method that can be used is Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). This method of testing has increased risk (including birth defects). If CVS is going to be performed for medical reasons then it can also be used for paternity testing. Click here for pricing.