As a man, one thing that has the potential to be confusing is if a child is yours. After all, if you're not in a committed, monogamous relationship or believe that your spouse committed adultery, then it only takes sleeping with another man once to result in a pregnancy and a child who isn't yours.

It can be devastating to find out that a child isn't who you believed them to be. You may have already raised them for months or years, or you may have just found out that your pregnant wife or girlfriend isn't sure that you're the father. Regardless of the situation, it is a good idea to pursue a paternity test.

What happens during a paternity test?

A DNA paternity test is a simple test that identifies if you are or are not related to the other person's DNA sample. For example, you can take DNA from you, your mom and your dad, and all three should show similar shapes and patterns once compared.

To determine if you're the father of a child, you'll have a DNA sample taken from you. This is usually in the form of a mouth swab, though you can also give blood or take other kinds of samples. The same method is used to take a DNA sample from a child. If the child is not yet born, it is possible to get a DNA sample, but most medical professionals would suggest waiting until birth.

How accurate are DNA tests?

They are very accurate. Your DNA has 46 chromosomes. Your child will receive 23 from you and 23 from their mother. As a result, your child should share all 23 chromosomes with you. DNA is spliced to determine if that's the case. If your DNA matches, then the possibility of paternity is 99.9%. If it doesn't match, then you aren't the father.

Why is proof of paternity important?

Proof of paternity can be important for a few reasons. The first is legal, because proving paternity gives you the right to see your child and to care for them. You'll immediately have all the rights and responsibilities of a biological parent. Proving paternity is also important for you personally. It takes away any fear that you're raising a child who isn't yours. It also means that your child will be at ease, because they know where they came from.

This is a simple test to take. If you're concerned about your child's biological relationship to you, you can seek a DNA test easily.