Prenatal Paternity Testing in Gulfport, MS

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. Mississippi law allows courts and the Department of Human Services to order genetic testing in paternity cases, and if certified lab results show at least about a 98% probability of fatherhood, the court will generally presume paternity, as explained by the Mississippi Bar’s overview of determining paternity and statutory summaries of Mississippi paternity law.

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 Mississippi families coordinate early testing with prenatal care through Medicaid and the state’s Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women (PEPW) policy, which allows low‑income pregnant women to receive up to 60 days of outpatient prenatal care while their full Medicaid application is processed, as described in the Division of Medicaid’s page on PEPW and policy analyses of presumptive Medicaid eligibility in Mississippi.

NIPP is considered low‑risk because it uses a routine maternal blood draw and avoids invasive procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. This blood‑based approach complements Mississippi’s broader efforts to improve maternal health through expanded prenatal and postpartum Medicaid benefits, including 12 months of postpartum coverage and enhanced prenatal access via PEPW, as summarized in reports on how presumptive eligibility and postpartum coverage aim to reduce maternal and infant mortality and policy briefs on PEPW’s impact.

Legal prenatal paternity tests that follow strict chain‑of‑custody procedures can be used in Mississippi cases involving child support, custody, and inheritance once the child is born. Mississippi’s Uniform Law on Paternity authorizes courts to order genetic testing of the mother, alleged father, and child and allows the court to presume paternity when tests show at least a 98% probability or to decide the case against a party who refuses testing, as described in Mississippi Code § 93‑9‑21 on blood and genetic tests and in bar and practitioner guides on forcing a paternity test in Mississippi.

Most private plans and Mississippi Medicaid treat prenatal paternity testing as an elective, non‑covered service, even though Medicaid typically covers medically necessary prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services. Pregnant Mississippians whose household income is at or below about 194% of the federal poverty level can qualify for pregnancy Medicaid and PEPW, receiving immediate outpatient prenatal coverage followed by 12 months of postpartum benefits, as outlined in Mississippi Medicaid health benefits for pregnant women and summaries of the new presumptive eligibility law.

Mississippi residents can access prenatal visits, ultrasounds, postpartum care, and newborn coverage through Medicaid and participating clinics, with covered services and eligibility explained on the Division of Medicaid’s pages for Medicaid health benefits and PEPW for pregnant women. Policy resources from Mississippi Today and the Center for Justice further describe how presumptive eligibility and extended postpartum coverage are designed to improve access to prenatal care and reduce poor outcomes among low‑income women.

For legal questions about custody, child support, or how DNA testing affects your parental rights, you can start with the Mississippi Department of Human Services’ Child Support Enforcement site and paternity establishment brochure, which explain voluntary acknowledgments and court‑ordered testing. You can also review plain‑language guides such as the Mississippi Bar’s overview of determining paternity, WomensLaw’s information on how paternity is established, and, when needed, consult a Mississippi family‑law attorney experienced in DNA‑based paternity cases, as discussed in resources on Mississippi paternity laws.

No, previous pregnancies do not interfere with NIPP results. The test isolates fetal DNA specific to the current pregnancy, ensuring accurate results regardless of prior pregnancies.

Yes, testing is possible if potential fathers are related, but additional analysis may be required to distinguish between their DNA profiles. Informing the lab about this relationship ensures more precise testing.

No, since the multiples will share the same DNA, it will be impossible to determine how many & which is which.

Yes! Both legal and non-legal NIPP tests include free gender determination as part of your results package.