There are many pregnant women who would like to find out if it is possible to get a DNA test whilst the baby it is still in the womb. The simple answer is that Yes, you can have a DNA paternity test carried out whilst the baby in still unborn. DNA testing is done for many reasons. Some of the reasons are, but not limited to, finding out about genealogy, ethnicity or race and also to determine the paternity of a child. With that said, testing during pregnancy probably has the highest incidence of risk first to the fetus and then to the mother. It is therefore imperative that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into before you go ahead with this test.
Types Of DNA Testing Whilst Pregnant
There are currently two types of tests that can be done to help you determine the DNA of your unborn child. The first is called Amniocentesis and the second is called Chorionic Villus Sampling, CVS for short. We Will take a look at each of these, including the advantages of one over the other and the accompanying risks. But before we go any further, it must be stated that the time at which this kind of testing is done is absolutely critical.
Amniocentesis: It is simply where a sample of the Amniotic fluid, the fluid surrounding the fetus, is taken and analyzed. At what stage of pregnancy can this take place? Amniocentesis can only be carried out during the second trimester, that is between weeks 14 and 20, of pregnancy. What happens during this test? The doctor or medical professional carrying out Amniocentesis uses a very thin surgical needle, guides it into the uterus, through the abdomen. An ultrasound machine is used to guide him to ensure accuracy. He then draws a little amount of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, with the needle. This sample is what is used to carry out the test or DNA analysis.
Risk involved with Amniocentesis include possible harm to the baby and consequently leading to miscarriage. The mother may also experience bleeding and cramping. There are also instances where there is the leakage of amniotic fluid.
Chronionic Villus Sampling (CVS): During the pregnancy, the are little finger-like tissues projecting out of the uterine wall. These are called chorionic villi. These tissues come from the same fertilized egg that produced the fetus or baby. Consequently, they have the same genetic or biological make up as that of the fetus. It is these tissues that the doctor will try to get samples of in order to carry out the test.
When can this test be done? It is done during the first trimester, between weeks 10 and 13 of gestation. The procedure for CVS is a little different from that of Amniocentesis. During CVS, the doctor, again using an ultrasound machine, would guide a surgical tube or needle through the cervix to obtain the chorionic villi tissue. Afterwards tests are carried out with the sample to determine the baby's DNA.
The Cost of DNA Testing During Pregnancy
This procedure is not cheap, compared to the other types of DNA testing, and also considering all the risks involved. It is estimated that DNA testing during pregnancy will cost anywhere between US$1000 to US$2000. It is not possible to tell if your health insurer would pay for this procedure, unless of course the terms of the insurance covers cases like this.
From the aforegoing, it is clear you cannot just get up and decide you want to carry these tests. Unless it is utterly necessary, it is always recommended that you wait till the baby is born before you carry out testing to determine the DNA of your baby.
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