Some private companies do offer prenatal testing, where a paternity test is done before the child is born, during the pregnancy. This type of paternity tests are not available on the NHS in the UK.

Prenatal paternity testing checks the identity of a baby’s father before the baby is born. The test typically involves taking a sample of blood from the pregnant woman, or the fluid that surrounds the unborn baby in the womb or
tissue from the placenta.

These last two tests are invasive tests that carry a small risk of miscarriage. In amniocentesis, a needle is inserted through the abdomen to collect a sample of fluid from the womb. In CVS, a sample of tissue is collected from the placenta, by passing a needle through the wall of the abdomen, or passing a small tube through the vagina and the neck of the womb.

I think that it is important to bear in mind that Prenatal paternity tests are governed by the Human Tissue Act of 2004 which says that prenatal paternity tests done in the UK must have the consent of the man involved.

This consent relates to the sample being taken and to it being tested.
A sample of blood or cheek cells from the man is also needed.
If you are pregnant and considering having a prenatal paternity test, you should first seek advice from your GP or midwife. They can advise you about the health risks of prenatal tests for you and your unborn baby. They can also arrange counselling, which may help you to consider the issues involved so that you can make the right decision for you and for your baby.

Whatever the way it is done, if a paternity test is being carried out, it does mean that some problems have been present. I really do think that counselling is very important so that the right unemotional decisions can be made.

Thisn is a really difficult subject. I have recently started work from home making calls for a compnay who offer DNA tresting. If their customers have any doubt about the test results it is my job to give them a ring and reassure them that the test has not been tameperd with etc. A lot fo people are very anxious around this whoe subject.