DNA testing after IVF

DNA testing can give you peace of mind over the biological identity of your child. Although mistakes and mix-ups in in vitro fertilization (IVF) are extremely rare, DNA testing is the only accurate and scientific way to establish the identity of a child’s biological mother and father. As the number of media stories increase about IVF babies not being related to one or both parents, DNA testing is becoming increasingly important in this field.

Why is DNA testing after IVF needed?

During the IVF process, there is a small risk that the wrong embryo can be implanted. Doctors collect eggs from the mother and fertilize then with sperm from the father or a donor. Fertilization takes place in a laboratory and the resulting embryo is then implanted in the mother’s womb.

If the wrong embryo is implanted, a woman could end up carrying a child which is not biologically related to her. Although mistakes of this kind are extremely rare, parents might find it reassuring to take a DNA maternity test or DNA paternity test for their peace of mind after the child has been delivered.

A DNA maternity test can ascertain if there is a biological relationship between a child and a mother. It can therefore confirm that the correct embryo was implanted into her uterus. DNA paternity tests establish whether there is a biological link between a father and a child.

Both of these DNA tests can be performed in newborn babies by collecting a DNA sample immediately after birth. This simple process just involves rubbing a mouth swab (much like a cotton swab or Q-tip) on the inside of the baby’s cheek for about 20 seconds. This collects a sample of buccal cells, which can then be analyzed for the DNA back at our lab. This method of collecting cheek cells is very quick and painless, and should cause no distress to the baby. A paternity test would also require a mouth swab from the father. The mother would need to provide a similar sample for a maternity test.

Prenatal DNA testing after IVF

If a mother is certain she is carrying her own embryo, a prenatal DNA test can be performed before a baby is born to confirm if the sperm donor is the biological father. The test can be performed from as early as 5 weeks after conception (or 7 weeks after the last period). This non-invasive method requires a mouth swab from the sperm donor and blood to be drawn from the mother (usually from her arm). There is no risk to the mother or the unborn child when taking this test.

Read all about getting paternity testing while pregnant

Maternity and paternity tests cost $129 online and results can be received by email within 3–5 working days after our laboratory has received your samples. Prenatal paternity testing costs $895 with results in 7–8 working days.

For information on our range of DNA testing services, contact us via Live Chat, call 727-325-2902 or email info@alphabiolabsusa.com