Is DNA Testing Safe During Pregnancy for Paternity, Genetic Traits?
Updated on March 18, 2024
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In This Article
In This Article
Yes. A DNA test during pregnancy is usually safe and can provide parents with helpful health information for raising their child.
Pregnant women may want to take DNA tests for several reasons.
For some, it sparks their curiosity to learn more about their family’s medical history and genetic traits.
Other women take DNA tests before their child’s birth. It helps them become aware of potential health risks affecting their pregnancy or their baby’s health.
In rare cases, a pregnant mother may need DNA evidence to obtain legal rights for their baby. Establishing paternity can help with child support, child custody, benefits, and inheritance.
Some prenatal DNA tests are slightly invasive, however. They may require amniotic fluid, fetal cells, or placental tissue samples inside your womb.
Yes. It is generally safe to take a DNA test while pregnant.
Pregnancy can make you think twice before doing things to your body. However, a non-invasive test won’t affect your child in any way.
Some non-invasive tests (such as prenatal cell-free DNA screening) are harmless to the baby. Most carry a slight risk of miscarriage and infection, but these happen rarely.1
For your safety, a doctor will first make sure you’re qualified for prenatal DNA testing. They will also monitor you during the test to keep you and your baby safe.
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Pregnant women can take three types of DNA tests before giving birth:
How they’re done and the type of samples collected will depend on the test.
Prenatal paternity tests can either confirm or disprove the biological link between the potential father and an unborn child. The result can be helpful in many legal situations.
These tests are usually performed in hospitals. A health provider will take the samples, find genetic matches, and explain the results. There are two types of prenatal paternity testing:3
Samples are collected from the unborn baby while inside the mother’s womb. The child’s DNA is compared with the potential father’s DNA.
Invasive DNA paternity tests can be done in two ways:3,4
Invasive prenatal paternity tests are guided by an ultrasound machine to reduce the risk of harming the baby or miscarriage, so they’re generally safe.
A mother may prefer a non-invasive DNA test over an invasive one because it is generally considered less risky and more convenient.
A non-invasive DNA test like a blood test or a cheek swab poses no risk to the fetus. On the other hand, an invasive DNA test like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) carries a tiny risk of miscarriage or other complications.
The baby’s DNA is collected through the mother’s blood sample containing free-floating fetal cells.
Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing results are compared with the fluid sample from the cheek swab of the alleged father.
Prenatal DNA testing screens a baby for genetic disorders or tells you which conditions they already have. What you’ll learn about your baby’s health will depend on the testing process.
The test collects DNA samples from the mother and father. It can be invasive (blood draw) or non-invasive (cheek swabs). Samples are screened for genetic errors called aneuploidies.
Babies with aneuploidy will have missing or extra chromosomes in their genes. This increases their risk of developing certain health conditions.5
Other inherited conditions can be screened using these tests. Some examples include blood, metabolic, and endocrine disorders. In pregnant women, first-trimester and second-trimester screening can help you decide whether or not to continue with DNA testing for diagnostic purposes.
It enables your doctor to pinpoint the specific illness your child may have.
At about ten weeks of pregnancy, there’s enough fetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream. Women can take this prenatal DNA test to see if their baby has genetic disorders, such as:6
Doctors usually request a cell-free fetal DNA test if they think your baby has chromosomal abnormalities. The test is performed by collecting fetal cells through the mother’s blood.
At-home DNA testing kits are non-invasive and require a cheek swab sample. They also come with directions that are easy to follow.
After completing the sample collection, you can send it back for analysis. You can access test results online after a few weeks.
DNA testing in the weeks of pregnancy offers these benefits:
DNA helps you discover your lineage and where your ancestors came from. To some people, it’s important to know their origins. It can shape how they raise their child.2
Some DNA test results confirm paternity or support legal cases that involve the child. A DNA paternity test can also prove that a man is not a child’s biological father.
Prenatal tests can tell you which genetic disorders your baby might have. They can screen for neural birth defects, congenital heart disease, and even Down Syndrome.
The cost of a DNA test during pregnancy depends on the type of test you’ll do. However, many of these tests are not usually covered by health insurance.
Depending on your chosen test, the price ranges from $100 to over $1,000.
It’s best that you talk to a doctor before making any decisions. They can guide you on the next steps and suggest DNA tests you can take during pregnancy.
Genetic testing may be advised if one or both parents have a family history of genetic disorders. Positive results can prepare your family for early treatment.
Prenatal paternity testing may be necessary if you need to prove or disprove a child’s paternity while you’re still pregnant. But if you’re not in a rush, you can wait until the baby is born.
At-home DNA tests are safe for all pregnant women because they’re non-invasive. They can help your child pave their way into the world by uncovering your roots and ancestry.
DNA testing kits can also tell you which health problems you and your baby may be at risk for. It allows you to create a diet and lifestyle that reduces your health risks.
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