Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Paternity Testing:
How soon can we start the testing process? Our DNA test can be done as soon as the the child is born, however, a CVS procedure can determine the paternity through testing of the amniotic fluid during the 2nd trimester.
Are test results kept completely confidential? It is a rule of most DNA laboratories to keep your results completely confidential. Your test will be kept confidential and we will deliver your results through regular mail, email or via phone. Whatever option is most convenient for you.
What risk does DNA testing pose to the mother and the developing baby? Testing conducted after a baby’s birth involves no known risks. Prenatal DNA testing done in conjunction with other prenatal testing involves some risk associated with how the testing is conducted, whether amniocentesis or CVS. These tests are often discouraged for the sole reason of seeking paternity because of the increased miscarriage risk.
Can an exact date of conception be determined accurately without a paternity test? Many women have questions about the date of possible conception, and unfortunately figuring this out is not always so easy. The assumption is that if a woman has pretty regular menstrual cycles, then she will be ovulating during a certain time of the month. Ovulation is the time when conception can take place because that is when an egg is made available.
The problem is that most women do not ovulate on an exact date each month, and many women have a different ovulation day from month to month. If you also take into account that sperm can live in the body 3-5 days after intercourse has taken place, this can make figuring out conception very difficult.
Most doctors use the first day of the last period (LMP) and ultrasound measurements to gage the gestational age of a baby and determine when the baby was conceived. But these are just tools used to estimate the dates—it is very hard for anything to tell what the exact date of conception really is. Most people do not realize that ultrasounds can be off up to 5-7 days in early pregnancy and up to a couple weeks off if the first ultrasounds are done farther into the second trimester or beyond.
Due dates are not an accurate tool for determining conception since they also are only an estimation date (only 5% of women give birth on their due dates).
If you are seeking the estimated date of conception for paternity reasons, and intercourse with two different partners took place within 10 days of each other, we strongly encourage that paternity testing be done; this testing can be done during pregnancy and after the baby is born. This is the only way to accurately know who the father is.
How much does it cost to establish paternity? Costs will vary dependent on which types of procedures are performed. Prices can range from $175 for a self-administered, non legal test to $400 for a legal chain of custody test. Our price is $175 plus $160 for an additional child to be tested. Prenatal testing is often more costly than testing done after a baby is born because of the additional doctor and hospital related fees. Some testing sites offer lower cost testing that is non-court-approved, or “curiosity testing.” and may not be as accurate. The DNA test we perform is through PCR analysis (polymerase chain reaction), which uses an enzyme (polymerase) to replicate DNA regions in a test tube. By repeating the copying process, a small number of DNA molecules can be reliably increased up to billions within several hours.
Can I use the DNA test results in court? We offer court-approved tests, and a lower cost “curiosity test.” The difference is the mode of collection. If you aren't sure if you will need the results for a court case, it is probably worth the extra cost to go ahead and have a court-approved test done. We offer legal Chain of Custody DNA Paternity Testing in the following areas in Oregon: Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, and Sisters, but will make exceptions. If you need a DNA Paternity Test outside of this area we can only offer a curiosity test. Call 541-977-5337 to schedule your legal DNA Paternity Test.
