How soon can you get a DNA test after the baby is born?
One of the biggest misconceptions is, that you have to wait months after the birth of a child to collect their sample. Collecting a sample of a newborn can be performed as early as a couple days after the birth. The sample can be collected in the hospital by a DNA sample collector or you can wait until your ready to bring the child home.
If you opt to have the child’s sample collected at the hospital. Please make sure you inform the head nurse that you would like to have a DNA Sample Collector collect your child’s DNA sample. It is important that you explain the method of collection (buccal swab) would be the safest and most effective way to have the child’s sample collected.
If not, hospital officials may halt the DNA collection if they are not made aware of the paternity test taking place on their grounds.
Pros and cons of DNA Testing after birth.
Quite honestly, we do not believe there are any cons to performing a Paternity Test after birth. Below we list the most important pros on why you should consider waiting for your child to be born.
- The DNA test result can be utilized for legal purposes. As it currently stands there has been no precedent set where a court has allowed a prenatal paternity test result to be used to determine paternity in court.
- Cost of a paternity test is substantially cheaper after the child is born than before the child is born. Prices range anywhere from $900 to $2000. It is important that you think about performing prenatal paternity thoroughly before you choose this option.
Related Questions:
Can a hospital do DNA test when baby is born?
Performing a paternity test at a hospital is not commonplace. From our experience, Hospitals normal contact a company like DNA Tests NJ to assist their patients with their DNA relationship testing needs.
How do you get a DNA test on a newborn?
Perform a DNA test on a newborn is simple. Below are some tips if you are considering to collect the DNA samples yourself.
Tips for Collecting DNA from a Newborn Baby or Infant.
- Do not feed the baby or provide water for 60 minutes prior to swabbing. Doing so can’t change the DNA or affect results, but it could contaminate the sample and bring about the need to collect new samples.
- Swab the baby while they’re asleep. It’s hard to swab a squirming, wiggling baby, so doing it while they’re asleep is a great solution
- Make sure to rub each swab for a full 30 seconds on the inside of the cheek, while trying hard to avoid the gum areas.
- If a swab seems a little wet, simply hold the swab in the air for about 60 seconds before placing in the paper sample envelope.
- Do not touch the tip of the swab with your own hand, to prevent the chance of contamination.
Remember, the above-listed tips are to be utilized if you decide to use a home DNA test kit and collect your own samples.
If you need a legal DNA paternity test. Please contact our office today so we can coordinate an appointment with a professional DNA sample collector. He or she will be responsible for collecting your sample and making sure the DNA sample collection process follows the proper chain of custody guidelines.
How long does it take to get a DNA test after birth?
For a standard test (testing one possible father with one child) the turnaround time for a DNA paternity test results in 1-3 business days once all samples are received by the lab. While other labs can take 3-12 weeks or even longer, and for a higher price.