Can you take a DNA test while pregnant?

Prenatal DNA paternity tests are available after the 14th week of gestation, according to Prenatal Genetics Center. The test is noninvasive and risk-free for both the mother and the fetus.

The method isolates the fetus's DNA from the mother's blood, explains WebMD. Researchers previously used the method to detect Down syndrome in unborn fetuses. The technology is a less invasive alternative to amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling and can detect abnormalities earlier than the previous two tests. Additionally, amniocentesis and chronic villus sampling carry risks of infection, miscarriage and birth defects.

Prenatal Genetics Center's prenatal DNA paternity test usually takes nine business days to complete and offers more than 99-percent accuracy, according to Prenatal Genetics Center.