When Can You Get A DNA Test During Pregnancy?

The DNA of the child has many clues as to what information the child will be born with. These clues can be uncovered and the information extracted by performing a DNA test during pregnancy. Advancement of technology has enabled to get a child's DNA tested even before the child is born.

A DNA test is done during pregnancy to test the DNA of the unborn child. Amongst the many reasons as to why a DNA test of the unborn child may be required is testing the paternity of the child. Other reasons include testing for abnormalities and inherited genetic diseases.

A DNA test of the unborn child can be done during pregnancy during the period between 10 to 24 weeks after conception. The method of sample collection is different for different ages of the developing baby.

If your pregnancy is between 10 to 13 weeks after conception, the method used to collect the sample for DNA Testing is chorionic villus sampling. In this procedure your doctor will insert a thin needle or a fine tube guided by ultrasound, into the womb through the vagina and cervix to obtain a sample of chorionic villi. The sample obtained will then be tested and analyzed.

If you are between 14 to 24 weeks pregnant, the method used to collect the baby's sample will be by amniocentesis. This procedure also involves inserting a needle into the womb. In this procedure the needle will be guided by ultrasound and inserted though the abdomen to draw a small amount of amniotic fluid. The child�s DNA Test will be done on this fluid sample.

If you are more then 24 weeks pregnant, the risk of damaging your unborn baby while collecting the sample for testing is significant. So, doctors advise to stay till your baby is born to get the test done. After the birth of your baby, several methods can be used to take a sample from the baby.

When your child's paternity is in doubt or when you want to be one hundred percent sure who the father of your child is, you can get the DNA Test done to confirm or negate any doubts you have.

If you are getting the DNA of your unborn baby tested solely for the purpose of establishing paternity, doctors do not encourage this test to be done before your child is born. This is because both the methods of sample collection pose some risk to the unborn baby. And if you wait till your baby is born, samples can be collected without any risks to the baby.

Even though you can get a DNA test done during your pregnancy, you should weigh the risks and the benefits before you decide to go on with your testing. Source: http://www.simplednatesting.com