Finding out you’re pregnant can be one of the most emotional moments in your life.
But if you’re unsure who the father is, those feelings of excitement may quickly become overshadowed by anxiety, fear, or uncertainty.
If you’re in this situation, know that you are not alone – and that there are safe, reliable ways to get the answers you need during pregnancy.
Thanks to modern DNA advancements, you can now confirm paternity before your baby arrives with a non-invasive, highly accurate test. This non-invasive prenatal paternity (NIPP) test offers a safe and discreet way to get answers, whether you’re seeking peace of mind or want to confidently move forward.
This article will cover the common reasons for paternity doubts during pregnancy, how to find answers while you’re expecting, and how Blueprint DNA’s non-invasive testing can assist you throughout the process.
How paternity doubts can happen
It’s more common than you might think to be unsure about a baby’s paternity during pregnancy, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. Life can be complicated, and relationships don’t always unfold neatly.
Here are a few common reasons why someone might be uncertain about who the father of their baby is:
- Overlapping Relationships: Sometimes, relationships or intimate encounters occur close together, making it tricky to pinpoint the exact time of conception.
- Reuniting with a Former Partner: You might have reconnected with an ex around the time your baby was conceived.
- Unclear Conception Dates: Even with regular menstrual cycles, it can be tough to pinpoint the precise moment you became pregnant.
Whatever the reason, carrying the emotional burden of not knowing can be significant. You might feel anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure how to proceed. These feelings are completely valid, and the good news is you can get answers before your baby is born.
Why waiting until birth isn’t always the best option
In the past, if you had paternity questions during pregnancy, you had no choice but to wait until after the baby was born for answers. While paternity testing after birth is still an option, enduring months of uncertainty can really weigh on your emotional well-being.
Getting answers sooner can be a much better choice for several reasons:
- Emotional Relief: Knowing who the father is can bring a profound sense of peace and significantly reduce stress for both the mother and the potential father.
- Better Communication: Establishing paternity early can foster open and honest conversations between parents, allowing them to make shared decisions throughout the pregnancy.
- Planning and Preparation: Understanding your situation sooner means you can better prepare for your baby’s arrival, whether it’s practically, emotionally, or financially.
With Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) testing, you don’t have to spend your pregnancy feeling worried or confused. You can take steps now to get the clarity you need, safely and confidently.
How a NIPP test works
Blueprint DNA offers a safe and accurate Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) test that’s completely safe for both the mother and baby. Here’s a breakdown of how our process works:
When Can Testing Begin?
You can get answers as early as possible, with testing available from just 8 weeks into your pregnancy.
What Samples Are Needed?
- From the Mother: We require two cheek (buccal) swab samples and one blood sample. The blood sample must be collected by a trained medical professional, such as a nurse, phlebotomist, or a Blueprint DNA certified sample collector.
- From Each Potential Father: We need two cheek swab samples from each alleged father. When you order your test kit, simply indicate how many alleged fathers need to be tested, and we’ll include the necessary extra swabs (additional fees apply).
Sample Collection Options
Because the blood samples are time-sensitive, they need to be collected by a trained professional. Ideally, the mouth swabs should also be collected by a Blueprint DNA sample collector. You have a few convenient options for this:
- Walk-in Centers: Both samples can be collected simultaneously or separately at one of our nationwide walk-in centers.
- Mobile Collection: We can arrange for a trained sample collector to visit your home or any other convenient location to collect your samples. These two options ensure proper collection and safe return of samples to our lab.
- Self-Arranged Collection: Alternatively, you can choose to arrange your own blood and mouth swab collections. In this case, you’ll be responsible for sending the samples back to the laboratory yourself.
Can Samples Be Collected at Different Locations?
Yes, the mother’s and alleged father’s samples do not need to be collected at the same location. However, for best results and to prevent the mother’s blood sample from degrading, they should be collected around the same time.
How Accurate is the Test?
Our test works by analyzing the baby’s DNA, which is naturally present in the mother’s bloodstream from 7 weeks of pregnancy. We compare this fetal DNA with the DNA of the alleged father(s) to identify matching DNA markers.
A Blueprint DNA Prenatal Paternity Test provides 100% accurate results based on the samples we receive.
Things to consider before testing
Deciding to get a paternity test while pregnant is a very personal choice. Though the process itself is simple and non-invasive, there are a few key things you should consider beforehand.
Emotional Readiness
Paternity test results can have a major emotional impact, not just on you, but on your relationships too. It’s really important to be emotionally prepared for any outcome and to have a good support system in place if you need it.
Involving the Potential Father(s)
Having an open and honest conversation with the potential father(s) can make the whole process much smoother. It also helps set realistic expectations, especially if co-parenting might be a possibility in the future.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Prenatal paternity testing is a highly sensitive matter, and many people prefer to keep it private. That’s why privacy and confidentiality are top priorities when you’re taking a DNA test. At Blueprint DNA, we’ve built our reputation on providing fast, accurate, and reliable testing while ensuring all our customers’ personal information is protected.
Why choose Blueprint DNA for your Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test ?
Unmatched Safety for Mother and Baby: Blueprint DNA’s Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) test is 100% safe. Unlike older, invasive methods like amniocentesis or CVS, our test only requires a blood sample from the mother and cheek swabs from the potential father(s). There are no needles inserted into the womb, ensuring absolutely no risk to your pregnancy.
Early and Accurate Results: You can get answers as early as 8 weeks into your pregnancy. Our advanced testing analyzes fetal DNA naturally circulating in the mother’s bloodstream, comparing it with the alleged father’s DNA to identify matching markers. This process provides 100% accurate results based on the samples we receive, giving you clarity and peace of mind much sooner.
Accreditation and Trust: Blueprint DNA is a DNA laboratory that provides access to AABB-accredited and ISO 17025, SCC and NATA genetic testing laboratories. This means our tests are conducted to the highest international standards of quality and accuracy, making the results highly reliable and, if collected under a strict chain of custody, potentially admissible for legal purposes. We are also listed as service providers by the Ghana Judicial Service.
Convenient and Confidential Sample Collection: We understand the sensitive nature of paternity testing. Blueprint DNA offers flexible sample collection options, including nationwide walk-in centers and convenient home visits by trained sample collectors. This ensures proper collection and secure transport to our lab. We prioritize your privacy and confidentiality throughout the entire process.
Expertise and Support: Blueprint DNA is focused on creating awareness and advocacy on the need for DNA and genetic testing, and providing affordable access to testing and counseling. Our team is dedicated to guiding you through every step, ensuring you have the information and support you need to make informed decisions. We even provide psychological counseling through our partners FreeThink Consult across Ghana to help minimize the impact of test outcomes.
Affordable and Accessible: Our goal is to make genetic testing accessible. While NIPP tests are more complex than standard paternity tests, we strive to keep our rates competitive. We aim to provide affordable access to testing and counseling for individuals across Ghana and overseas, with our tests run in accredited labs in the UK & USA.