This test is available from 10 weeks (from the first day of your last period) and requires a sample of the mother's blood.
Fragments of fetal DNA circulate in the maternal bloodstream and are even detectable as early as week 5 of the pregnancy. The quantity increases as the pregnancy progresses, and from the 6th week, there is a sufficient amount to guarantee an accurate and highly specific result.
This is a non-invasive paternity test that analyses fetal DNA from the mother's blood to determine the biological father. The potential father must attend the appointment, as a buccal (cheek) swab is required to be sent alongside the mother’s blood sample.
This service includes a reassurance scan.
Who it's for
This test is for anyone looking to confirm the biological father of their baby — safely, early, and without invasive procedures.
It can be carried out in pregnancies of at least 10 weeks, including singleton and identical twin (monozygotic) pregnancies, as long as you’ve already had an ultrasound.
There are a few situations where this test isn’t suitable:
• If the possible fathers are identical twins
• If the pregnancy involves non-identical twins (dichorionic)
• If you’ve conceived using a donor egg through IVF and we can’t get a sample from the donor
It’s also important to know that if your pregnancy started as twins or multiples but one baby was lost early on (known as a vanishing twin), traces of DNA from the lost fetus may still be present in your bloodstream, which can affect the test result.
This is purely a paternity test, it doesn’t screen for any chromosomal or genetic conditions.
What happens
We’ll start with an early pregnancy reassurance scan, exactly the same as our standalone EP scan, to check how things are going and confirm gestation.
Then we’ll take two cheek swabs from the potential father. It’s completely painless, just a quick rub inside the cheek with a swab (if more than one potential father is attending, no problem, just give us a heads-up so we can prep extra kits).
After that, it’s your turn. One of our sonographers, all fully trained in venepuncture, will take a blood sample. We usually use your arm, but if needed we can use your hand instead. We’ll do everything we can to keep it calm, quick, and as comfortable as possible.
You’ll need to sign a consent form so we can send everything off to the lab.
Then finally, you’ll get your printed scan images, and we’ll ping your digital images and scan video straight to your phone before you leave.
Preparation
We begin with an early pregnancy reassurance scan, exactly the same as our standalone EP scan, to confirm gestation and check everything is progressing as it should.
Next, one of our qualified sonographers (all trained in venepuncture too) will take your blood sample. This is usually taken from your arm, but occasionally from your hand, either way, we’ll do our best to make it quick and as comfortable as possible.
You’ll then be asked to read and sign a short consent form so we can send your sample to the lab.
Before you go, your sonographer will print out your scan images and send the digital images and video straight to your phone, no waiting around.
On the day
Eat and drink as normal, but go easy on the bladder. We recommend emptying it before leaving home, then sipping up to 500ml of water before your appointment. This keeps everything visible without making you uncomfortable.
To help your blood draw go smoothly, make sure you’ve eaten and are well hydrated. Staying warm also helps, layers are your friend.
Arriving for your appointment:
9am–5pm, Monday to Friday – Head to Main Reception at Greetwell Place. The lovely reception team will let us know you’re here.
Evenings & weekends – Reception will be closed, so follow the road round the side of the building (past the 5mph sign) and park near the ScanLinc sandwich board sign. This is our private entrance. There’s no access to the building before your appointment time.
We kindly ask that you wait in your car or at a respectful distance until we’re ready, some of our clients are navigating private or difficult moments, and we want to honour their space.
ON THE DAY
Meet Your Team
You won’t see a different face every time you walk through the door.
ScanLinc is run by just three of us - Sam, Hannah and Megan - and between us, you’re always in safe hands.
Megan Evans
Megan is a qualified, HCPC-registered Sonographer who also works within the NHS as an Obstetric Sonographer. That dual perspective means she’s not only clinically brilliant, but always in the loop with evolving NHS practices, bringing the best of both worlds to your care.
Sam Nicholls
Sam is our Clinic Director and Advanced Practitioner Sonographer. With postgraduate training in gynaecology, fertility and early pregnancy, and over two decades of NHS experience, she brings a calm, expert presence to every scan. She’s also our CQC lead and maintains her Midwifery registration, so you can be sure your care is clinically sound, safe and current.
Hannah Sleight
Hannah is our Technical Director and a qualified Sonographer. She has a knack for turning complex tech into calm, seamless experiences, from streamlining operations to keeping us at the cutting edge with the latest imaging innovations (like our 8K scan enhancements). She makes the clinic run like clockwork.