Prenatal Paternity Testing

Our non-invasive prenatal paternity DNA testing provides the most accurate way to determine paternity before birth. It uses a state-of-the-art process which combines the latest DNA technology and unique methods of preserving the baby’s DNA, which is naturally found in the mother’s bloodstream after 7 weeks into the pregnancy.

One of the best ways to explain non-invasive is to look at the opposite approach: an invasive DNA paternity test. The traditional invasive prenatal paternity tests require that cells be obtained from either the amniotic fluid or the placenta.

The non-invasive paternity test uses a simple blood sample from the mother and therefore does not require a needle to be inserted into the womb.

Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing can be carried out as early as 7 weeks into the pregnancy. You can use our pregnancy calculator to work out how many weeks pregnant you are.

Our non-invasive prenatal paternity testing is 100% safe and risk-free for mother and baby.

Our DNA testing is 100% accurate and reliable based on the samples we receive at our laboratory.

We are also the only laboratory to hold ISO 17025 accreditation for our prenatal paternity testing.

Two mouth swabs and a blood sample are needed from the mother, along with two mouth swabs from the alleged father.

Yes. We need samples from both the mother and alleged father.

Our Prenatal Paternity Test is ideally suited for expectant parents who have become pregnant following fertility treatment.

With increasing numbers of babies being born as a result of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or surrogacy, DNA testing can provide confirmation and peace of mind as to the biological identity of an unborn child’s father.

Although mistakes are rare, as the fertilisation process takes place in a clinic or hospital, there is always a small risk of the wrong sample being used. This means that there is a possibility that the sperm donor may not be the biological father of the child.

A prenatal paternity test can help ensure any errors are identified before the baby is born.

Yes, the samples can be collected at different locations.

We provide two options for sample collection for this test:

• FREE sample collection at our walk-in centres OR
• Have one of our sample collectors visit you at a convenient time and location of your choice (+€149)

The mother and alleged father do not need to attend the same sample collection appointment, but all samples (mother’s blood and cheek swab samples and alleged father’s cheek swab samples) must be collected around the same time.

This reduces the likelihood of the mother’s blood sample degrading, which can render the sample unusable.

Sample donors do not need to attend the same appointment, but the mother and alleged father’s samples must be collected around the same time.

This reduces the likelihood of the mother’s blood sample degrading, which can render the sample unusable.

We provide two options for sample collection for this test:

• FREE sample collection at one of our walk-in centres OR
• Have one of our sample collectors visit you at a convenient time and location of your choice (+€149)

Once you have placed your order and chosen your preferred option for sample collection, our Customer Services team will contact you to arrange your sample collection appointment.

Sample donors do not have to attend the same appointment, but the mother’s blood and cheek swab samples and the alleged father’s cheek swab samples must be collected around the same time.

This is because blood samples are time-sensitive and must be returned to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection, along with all cheek swab samples.

This reduces the risk of the mother’s blood sample degrading in transit, which can render the sample unusable.

In the event of an inconclusive result, we will offer an additional free-of-charge test with newly collected samples, two weeks after the first test.

If this test is also inconclusive, we will perform a third and final test, also free of charge, after a further two weeks.

Whilst we will conduct up to two additional tests free of charge, please note that you will be responsible for the cost of the additional sample collections required.

In approximately 3-5% of cases, foetal DNA never reaches a sufficient level for successful testing. If this happens after we have performed three tests, AlphaBiolabs promises to refund the cost of your prenatal paternity test (please note this refund will not include the cost of any additional sample collections).

We are the only testing company that offers this money-back guarantee.

Please note if you receive an inconclusive result and decide to cancel your test rather than proceeding with the additional second and third free-of-charge tests, we will be unable to offer a refund.

Results can be made available in 5-7 days* depending on the level of service you choose. Our express service can get your results back to you in just 4 days* (for an additional €200).

*working days from when the samples arrive at our laboratory before 10am

Your test report will provide details about the testing conducted and whether the potential father is ‘excluded’ or is ‘not excluded’ as the true biological father of the child.

If the potential father is excluded, this means that the foetal DNA detected DOES NOT match that of the tested man. This means that it is not possible for him to be the biological father of the child.

If the potential father is ‘not excluded’ this means that the foetal DNA observed DOES match that of the tested man. You will be provided with a probability that he is the true biological father of the baby.

Due to the complex nature of testing and the large amount of data analysed, the report provides a conclusion only and genetic data is not supplied. All results are independently analysed by two Reporting Scientists before the report is issued to ensure the complete accuracy of the results provided.

Our Prenatal Paternity Testing is €995 with results in 5-7 days, and FREE sample collection at our walk-in centres.

Alternatively, you can have an AlphaBiolabs sample collector visit you at a convenient time and location for an additional €149.

If you need your test results sooner, you have the option to upgrade to our Express Service for results in 4 days (+€200).

You can order your test here and a member of our Customer Services team will be in touch to book your sample collection appointment FREE OF CHARGE at one of our walk-in centres, or at a convenient time and location of your choice (+€149).

Alternatively, you can email info@alphabiolabs.ie or call Customer Services on 01 402 9466. We can talk you through the process and outline the next steps.