Prenatal paternity testing is a sensitive subject because of the ethical and moral issues involved, including the risks of an invasive test. Many doctors are unwilling to carry out a prenatal paternity test, especially if confirming the baby's father's identity is the only reason for the test. For example, if a prenatal paternity test is carried out and the test result is unexpected, the woman may not want to continue with the pregnancy. An unwanted paternity test result is, however, unlikely to be considered adequate grounds for terminating a pregnancy <a href="/abortion">abortion</a>. If you're pregnant and thinking about a prenatal paternity test, talk to your GP or midwife. They can help you consider the issues involved, as well as advise you about the risks for you and your unborn baby. They can also arrange counselling. Paternity tests can also be carried out after a baby is born. If you're considering any paternity test, it's important to consider the issues involved carefully. Prenatal and other paternity tests are not available on the NHS. ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232555,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232555,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

Getting advice

A baby inherits DNA from both its parents. Prenatal paternity tests can identify if a man is the father of a baby by looking at samples containing: <ul> <li>the man's DNA</li> <li>the pregnant woman's DNA, and</li> <li>the unborn baby's DNA</li> </ul> ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232555,233460 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

DNA and prenatal paternity tests 

The man and the pregnant woman each provide a sample containing their DNA so it can be analysed. For example, a sample of cheek cells from inside the mouth or a blood sample. If a paternity test is required for legal reasons, the samples must be taken under strict conditions, as required by the court. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232555,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

DNA from the man and the pregnant woman 

So that the unborn baby's DNA can be analysed, the pregnant woman will also need to provide a sample of: <ul> <li>fluid from the womb (amniotic fluid) containing cells from the baby</li> <li>tissue from the placenta </li> </ul> A sample of fluid from the womb is collected by inserting a needle through the abdomen. This procedure is called <a href="/pregnancy-problems/amniocentesis">amniocentesis</a>. A sample of tissue from the placenta is collected by passing a needle through the wall of the abdomen, or passing a small tube through the vagina and the neck of the womb (cervix). This procedure is called <a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/medical-exams/chorionic-villus-sampling">chorionic villus sampling</a> (CVS). Amniocentesis and CVS have a small risk of miscarriage. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232555,245870 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

DNA from the unborn baby 

As with any medical treatment or test, the woman must consent to the samples being taken and tested. Under the Human Tissue Act 2004, prenatal paternity tests done in the UK must also have the consent of the man or men involved.

Consent for prenatal paternity tests 



## Getting advice

Prenatal paternity testing is a sensitive subject because of the ethical and moral issues involved, including the risks of an invasive test. Many doctors are unwilling to carry out a prenatal paternity test, especially if confirming the baby's father's identity is the only reason for the test.

For example, if a prenatal paternity test is carried out and the test result is unexpected, the woman may not want to continue with the pregnancy. An unwanted paternity test result is, however, unlikely to be considered adequate grounds for terminating a pregnancy [abortion](/abortion).

If you're pregnant and thinking about a prenatal paternity test, talk to your GP or midwife. They can help you consider the issues involved, as well as advise you about the risks for you and your unborn baby. They can also arrange counselling.

Paternity tests can also be carried out after a baby is born. If you're considering any paternity test, it's important to consider the issues involved carefully. Prenatal and other paternity tests are not available on the NHS.


::: body-ad-desktop
zones:: 232632,232555,232640
types:: 163
disclaimer:: AD
typeFilter:: native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232555,232642
types:: 5,163
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display/native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::

## DNA and prenatal paternity tests 

A baby inherits DNA from both its parents. Prenatal paternity tests can identify if a man is the father of a baby by looking at samples containing:

- the man's DNA
- the pregnant woman's DNA, and
- the unborn baby's DNA


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232555,233460
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## DNA from the man and the pregnant woman 

The man and the pregnant woman each provide a sample containing their DNA so it can be analysed. For example, a sample of cheek cells from inside the mouth or a blood sample.

If a paternity test is required for legal reasons, the samples must be taken under strict conditions, as required by the court.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232555,245869
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## DNA from the unborn baby 

So that the unborn baby's DNA can be analysed, the pregnant woman will also need to provide a sample of:

- fluid from the womb (amniotic fluid) containing cells from the baby
- tissue from the placenta 

A sample of fluid from the womb is collected by inserting a needle through the abdomen. This procedure is called [amniocentesis](/pregnancy-problems/amniocentesis).

A sample of tissue from the placenta is collected by passing a needle through the wall of the abdomen, or passing a small tube through the vagina and the neck of the womb (cervix). This procedure is called [chorionic villus sampling](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/medical-exams/chorionic-villus-sampling) (CVS).

Amniocentesis and CVS have a small risk of miscarriage.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232555,245870
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Consent for prenatal paternity tests 

As with any medical treatment or test, the woman must consent to the samples being taken and tested.

Under the Human Tissue Act 2004, prenatal paternity tests done in the UK must also have the consent of the man or men involved.

error

 There was an error when submitting your feedback – have a screen break then try again in a few minutes.

Oh no, something’s gone wrong

ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?

initial

This isn’t helpful

This isn’t relevant

Something is wrong

This isn’t accurate

Please select one.

loading

success

We're listening – we use your feedback to improve your experience, and make our content more helpful.

Thank you for your feedback

References

Healthily's medical team

Article information

What is a prenatal paternity test?

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

A prenatal paternity test can identify whether a man is a baby's father before the baby is born (during pregnancy). Learn about prenatal paternity tests here - using content verified by certified doctors.