A non-invasive prenatal paternity (NIPP) test evaluates paternity before birth using a blood sample from the mother and a cheek swab from the alleged father.
Testing can begin as early as seven weeks of pregnancy. My Forever DNA offers appointments at its Omaha, Nebraska office, with professional blood collection required.
How a NIPP Test Works
During pregnancy, cell-free fetal DNA reaches the mother’s bloodstream through the placenta. NIPP compares this DNA with the alleged father’s DNA.
- Collect the mother’s blood: a trained professional takes a sample from her arm.
- Collect the alleged father’s sample: use a cheek swab.
- Analyze and compare: the laboratory evaluates fetal DNA from the blood sample against the alleged father’s profile.
- Report the result: the analysis supports or excludes paternity based on the genetic evidence.
Understanding the result
A supporting result can report a probability of paternity of 99.9% or higher; an exclusion is reported as 0%. See the laboratory’s report for the statistical conclusion.
NIPP and NIPT answer different questions
Both analyze cell-free DNA from a maternal blood sample. NIPP evaluates paternity; NIPT screens for certain chromosomal conditions.
Who Should Consider a NIPP Test?
Families may seek a paternity answer during pregnancy for several reasons:
Uncertainty about paternity
More than one alleged father can be tested, with each providing a cheek swab. Tell the laboratory if the possible fathers are biologically related.
Planning before delivery
An answer may help with relationships, birth plans, parental involvement and financial discussions.
Standard testing is for personal knowledge. Court-admissible prenatal results require verified identification, witnessed collection and a documented chain of custody.
Limited availability after birth
Testing may be considered while an alleged father is available, before deployment, relocation or another change in circumstances.
NIPP vs. Older Prenatal Paternity Methods
NIPP uses a maternal blood sample. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) collect material from the pregnancy and are invasive medical procedures.
Method |
How It Works |
When It Can Be Done |
Risk Level |
NIPP (non-invasive) |
Blood draw from mother + cheek swab from father |
7 weeks+ |
No needle enters the womb; routine blood-draw risks apply. |
Amniocentesis |
Needle inserted into the uterus to extract amniotic fluid |
15-20 weeks |
Small procedure-related miscarriage risk. |
CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) |
Needle or catheter used to collect placental tissue |
10-13 weeks |
Small procedure-related miscarriage risk. |
Discuss invasive procedures with your clinician
Amniocentesis and CVS are primarily diagnostic tests performed by an obstetric specialist. Their timing and risks need individual discussion.
The ACOG guide to amniocentesis and CVS explains those procedures. A NIPP blood draw avoids sampling inside the womb but can still cause brief discomfort or bruising, as with other blood tests.
What to Expect at a NIPP Appointment
My Forever DNA offers NIPP appointments at its Omaha, Nebraska office. The mother’s blood must be collected by a trained medical professional.
Before the visit
Confirm the pregnancy with your healthcare provider and make sure it is at least seven weeks along. Tell our team about relevant medical history and any separate collection needs.
During the visit
- Allow approximately 15–30 minutes.
- The mother provides a blood sample from her arm.
- The alleged father provides a cheek swab. Both samples can be collected at the same visit when possible.
If the alleged father cannot attend, contact us to coordinate separate collection and delivery to the lab.
After collection
Results are typically emailed within 5–7 business days after the laboratory receives both samples. Your dedicated DNA Specialist will contact you directly.
How Early Can You Take a NIPP Test?
Testing can begin at seven weeks of pregnancy. At seven to eight weeks, sufficient cell-free fetal DNA is typically available for analysis.
Why timing matters
An early sample may contain too little fetal DNA for a conclusive result. This does not establish or exclude paternity.
The lab may request another sample after one to two additional weeks. Confirm timing with our team before collection.
What a NIPP Test Cannot Do
It does not confirm pregnancy or screen for genetic conditions
Confirm pregnancy with your healthcare provider. Ask your obstetric care team about NIPT or other screening; paternity testing serves a different purpose.
It cannot distinguish identical-twin possible fathers
Identical twins share essentially the same inherited DNA profile. Any closely related possible fathers require laboratory review before booking.
It may not be suitable for twin pregnancies
DNA from more than one fetus can complicate analysis. Discuss a twin or multiple pregnancy with our team before arranging testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a NIPP test cost?
Contact us directly for current pricing. NIPP testing involves specialized lab analysis of cell-free fetal DNA, so it costs more than a standard postnatal paternity test.
Call 402-800-7161 or email sales@myforeverdna.com for a quote.
Is a NIPP test the same as a NIPT test?
No. NIPP evaluates paternity. NIPT screens for chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome.
Both use cell-free DNA from the mother’s blood, but they answer different questions and involve different laboratory analysis.
Can I take a NIPP test at home?
The mother’s blood must be drawn by a medical professional; a home cheek swab cannot replace it.
The alleged father’s cheek swab can be collected separately if needed. Contact us to coordinate the appropriate arrangement.
Is a NIPP test available near me?
My Forever DNA offers NIPP testing at our Omaha, Nebraska office by appointment. If you're outside the Omaha area, contact us to discuss your options - we may be able to help coordinate sample collection logistics depending on your location.
Can you test more than one alleged father?
Yes. Each alleged father provides a cheek swab, and the lab compares each one against the fetal DNA profile independently. Testing additional alleged fathers does not require a second blood draw from the mother.
Are NIPP results court-admissible?
Standard NIPP testing is for personal knowledge. If you need legally admissible prenatal paternity results, the test must follow chain-of-custody protocols with witnessed sample collection and verified identification. Contact us to discuss legal prenatal paternity testing requirements.
Can medications or health conditions affect NIPP results?
Tell the testing team about medications, relevant health conditions, recent transfusions and transplants before collection.
Medication does not ordinarily change inherited DNA, but some treatments can affect sample interpretation. The laboratory should review your circumstances; see DDC’s guidance on medical treatments and DNA testing.
What happens if my results are inconclusive?
In rare cases, fetal DNA levels may be too low to produce a conclusive result, usually because the test was performed very early in pregnancy. If this happens, the test can be repeated after 1-2 additional weeks at no extra charge.
Ready to Schedule a NIPP Appointment?
If you need prenatal paternity answers, our team can walk you through the process and help you schedule an appointment at our Omaha office.
Phone: 402-800-7161 Email: sales@myforeverdna.com
