Doubts regarding the paternity of an unborn baby can
transform a joyous pregnancy into a time of stress and strife. If you are
pregnant and unsure as to the father of your child, or you simply want to prove
to the man in your life that he has a baby on the way, you can accomplish this
task in several ways. While potentially more complex than waiting until the
arrival of your child, paternity testing while pregnant could, in some cases,
prove the best choice.
Benefits of Paternity Testing
As negative as the experience of getting a paternity test
may seem, there are benefits to doing so. As American Pregnancy Association
reports, paternity testing can help your child gain access to benefits to which
he would not otherwise be entitled. Tests of this type also help you ensure
that you are aware of your child's parentage and, as a result, his medical
history. Additionally, paternity testing can help improve the bond between
father and child, proving to the male parent unequivocally that he is the
father.
Acknowledgment of Paternity
When a child is born to an unmarried woman, most states
require the filing of an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP). This paper must be
filed for a father to be listed on the birth certificate. After the AOP filing,
the listed father has a limited amount of time to amend the filing. If he does
not, he will be considered legally responsible for the child, regardless of
whether he is genetically related to the child. By obtaining a paternity test
during pregnancy, you can allow for rapid filing of this form immediately after
your child's birth.
Amniocentesis Testing
One way to establish paternity during pregnancy is
through the completion of an amniocentesis. During this test, a small amount of
amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus via a thin needle. This test is
available any time during the second trimester, between the 14th and 20th week
of pregnancy.
Chorionic Villus Sampling Option
Through the use of chorionic villus sampling, you can
establish paternity even earlier. This test can be performed between the 10th
and 13th weeks of pregnancy. To complete this test, a doctor inserts a needle
or tube into the vagina and through a tiny cervical opening. He then uses this
needle or tube to take a small sampling of the tissues that line the uterine
wall.
Risks of Paternity Testing During Pregnancy
Some doctors are hesitant to perform paternity testing
during pregnancy. Instead, they prefer to wait for the birth of the child. This
hesitancy arises from the fact that both the amniocentesis and the chorionic
villus sampling methods pose a potential risk of miscarriage, a risk that is,
in some doctors' estimations, not worth it for the establishment of paternity
alone.