Prenatal Paternity Testing in Wilmington, DE

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 Delaware, genetic testing is a primary tool for establishing or disputing paternity, and state law explains how courts use DNA results to identify a legal father, as summarized in the Delaware Code provisions on rules for adjudication of paternity and the Social Security Administration’s overview of Delaware paternity law and genetic testing.

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 Delaware families choose early testing while also enrolling in Medicaid or a managed‑care plan for prenatal care, which cover doctor visits, tests, and delivery for eligible pregnant women as explained on the state’s Medicaid & Medical Assistance page and in managed‑care maternity‑benefit descriptions.

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 fits with Delaware’s broader effort to provide continuous prenatal care and Medicaid coverage for pregnant women, including full benefits or pregnancy‑only services depending on income, as outlined in state plan materials on Medicaid eligibility and benefits for pregnant women.

Legal prenatal paternity tests that follow strict chain‑of‑custody procedures can be used in Delaware Family Court cases involving child support, custody, and visitation once the child is born. Delaware’s Uniform Parentage Act provisions explain that genetic tests meeting certain standards must be considered when adjudicating paternity, and Family Court may order testing in support cases as described on its Child Support – Family Court page and in DCSS guidance on paternity establishment services.

Most private plans and Delaware Medicaid treat prenatal paternity testing as an elective, non‑covered service, even though they typically cover medically necessary prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum visits. Pregnant women and infants under age one may qualify for Medicaid if family income meets program limits, and maternity benefits such as prenatal visits and newborn coverage are provided through plans like Highmark Health Options and Delaware First Health, as described in Medicaid pregnancy and newborn coverage and Delaware First Health pregnancy programs.

Delaware residents can access prenatal visits, nutrition counseling, and postpartum support through Medicaid managed‑care plans and community programs that serve pregnant members, including maternity‑care programs described by Highmark Health Options and Delaware First Health. For general information on eligibility and how to apply, pregnant individuals can review the state’s Medicaid & Medical Assistance FAQs, which explain income rules and presumptive‑eligibility policies for pregnant women.

For legal questions about custody, child support, or how DNA testing affects your parental rights, you can start with the Division of Child Support Services’ explanation of paternity establishment services and its brochure on the Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity, which describe how VAPs and genetic testing work together under Delaware law. Families can also get help from Delaware Family Court’s Child Support resources or consult a Delaware family‑law attorney experienced in paternity cases, as discussed in practice guides on how unmarried fathers establish paternity in Delaware.

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.