Prenatal Paternity Testing in Fresno, CA

Non‑invasive prenatal paternity testing uses a standard blood draw from the pregnant mother and a cheek swab from the alleged father to compare the baby’s DNA to the father’s DNA markers, without disturbing the pregnancy. In California, courts and child‑support agencies can use accredited genetic testing to help determine legal parentage in a parentage case, as described in the California Courts’ guide to genetic testing and parentage and in the Uniform Act on Blood Tests to Determine Paternity in the California Family Code §§ 7550–7558.

Most non‑invasive prenatal paternity tests can be performed starting around the 7th week of pregnancy, counted from the first day of your last menstrual period. Many Californians combine early testing with comprehensive prenatal care through Medi‑Cal and pregnancy‑specific programs, which provide prenatal visits and related services as described in Medi‑Cal for Pregnancy and Pregnancy Medi‑Cal.

NIPP is considered low‑risk because it uses a routine maternal blood draw and avoids invasive procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. This blood‑based approach fits within California’s broader efforts to improve maternal health and reduce complications, supported by Medi‑Cal initiatives that expand prenatal and 12‑month postpartum coverage for pregnant individuals, as discussed in analyses of how Medi‑Cal aims to advance health equity for pregnant people.

NIPP is considered low‑risk because it uses a routine maternal blood draw and avoids invasive procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. This blood‑based approach fits within California’s broader efforts to improve maternal health and reduce complications, supported by Medi‑Cal initiatives that expand prenatal and 12‑month postpartum coverage for pregnant individuals, as discussed in analyses of how Medi‑Cal aims to advance health equity for pregnant people.

Legal prenatal paternity tests that follow strict chain‑of‑custody procedures can be used in California parentage and child‑support cases once the child is born. California’s self‑help materials explain that judges generally require court‑ordered genetic testing rather than home tests, and that testing is part of the process for deciding legal parentage, as outlined in the courts’ guide on genetic testing and parentage and in DCSS information on establishing legal parentage.

Most private plans and Medi‑Cal treat prenatal paternity testing as an elective, non‑covered service, even though they typically cover medically necessary prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services. California programs explain that full‑scope Medi‑Cal and pregnancy‑related Medi‑Cal cover prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and one year of postpartum care for eligible patients, as described in Medi‑Cal for Pregnancy, Pregnancy Medi‑Cal, and the Department of Health Care Services’ overview of Medi‑Cal benefits.

California residents can access prenatal care, high‑risk pregnancy support, nutrition assistance, and case‑management services through Medi‑Cal managed‑care plans and community programs, such as those described in the Pregnancy & Maternal Child Services resources for Medi‑Cal members. For broader information on coverage and enrollment, pregnant individuals can review Medi‑Cal for Pregnancy, Pregnancy Medi‑Cal, and the Department of Health Care Services’ Medi‑Cal benefits pages.

For legal questions about custody, child support, or how paternity affects your rights, you can start with the California Courts’ self‑help materials on genetic testing and parentage and guides on what happens when parentage is contested. You can also seek assistance from your local child‑support agency or work with a California family‑law attorney experienced in paternity and parentage cases, such as those described in practice guides on how to establish paternity in California and California paternity laws and rights.