A DNA Paternity Test can be performed quickly and accurately before a child is born. There are two methods to collect a DNA sample from a child prenatally for DNA testing:

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Chorionic villus sampling is performed at an earlier stage of pregnancy than amniocentesis, generally around the 10th week of pregnancy. During CVS collection, a small amount of tissue is retrieved from the placenta by an obstetrician. This procedure is usually painless.

Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is generally performed at a later stage than Chorionic Villus Sampling, usually after the 10th to 15th week of pregnancy. During amniocentesis, a small amount of amniotic fluid is withdrawn transabdominally by an obstetrician with the aid of ultrasound guidance.

After the samples are collected by your physician, they are forwarded directly to our laboratory for DNA testing. Please note that the procedures indicated above have a small risk to the foetus (e.g. miscarriage). Clients who are considering prenatal DNA testing should consult with their obstetrician to discuss the risks involved. Our laboratory advises all clients who are considering prenatal paternity test to consider refraining until the child is born.

The cost for prenatal testing is $255 US (does not include any fees charged by the physician for sample collection). The shipping fee for the amniotic fluid kit is $25 US (includes kit and delivery). Results are available 7 - 9 days from the date that our laboratory receives the samples.

Click here to see all your benefits in detail.