The question many people now ask in response to this is, “Does it matter?” It may sound like an insult, but it is a reason to give pause. Many fathers who requested paternity tests wished they had not done one at all. Even if the child is theirs, the mother might resent the distrust. When the child is not theirs, it makes it difficult to bond with the child.
There are many tests available on the market to help you determine if you are the biological father. However, it is important to consider all the risks before making a decision.
The main test available
FOX News reports that most people turn to DNA tests to determine paternity because it is the most reliable method. However, they are still not 100% accurate. To accomplish this, labs test a cheek swab or blood sample from the potential father and compare it against the child’s DNA.
Sometimes, fathers can test the paternity of fetuses. In these cases, invasive procedures might prove more accurate, but they could also pose risks to the baby and mother. Test costs tend to range from around $1,400 to $2,000.
Other potential risks
One potential risk is that it might make things difficult if the father wants to establish paternity and the child is not biologically his. The mother might then find grounds to argue that he should not play a role in the child’s life as the child has another father.
To add to this, when people take DNA tests, they might enter their samples into a system that leads to additional matches and opens up family drama. You might find half-brothers and half-sisters. Children you did not know about from previous relationships or even from sperm bank donations might come knocking as well.
Before doing a paternity test, consider speaking with a mental health professional or a physician to really look closely at the risks. If you determine you still want to go forward, then at least you do so knowing what the path ahead might hold.