Are you the mother?
Maternity DNA Testing helps determine whether the adult being tested is the biological mother of the child or children.
Maternity DNA Testing helps determine whether the adult being tested is the biological mother of the child or children.
Children get 50% of their DNA from each parent. With a maternal DNA test, you can verify the mother/child relationship (maternity) without having to test the father.
DNA samples are collected by gently rubbing a soft sponge on the inside of your cheek. The process is non-invasive, quick and gentle enough for newborns. For a maternity test, separate samples must be compared for each child and the alleged mother(s).
A Maternity test compares the DNA of the alleged mother and child/children to determine if their DNA matches at 50% (children inherit 50% of their DNA from each parent).
If the DNA from the alleged mother does not match the DNA from the child, the alleged mother is excluded as the biological mother; this is reported as 0% probability of maternity.
When the DNA does match, then the alleged mother is concluded to be the biological mother of the child, typically at a minimum probability of maternity of 99.95% or higher.
For answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about DNA testing, please click here.