Maternity of a child is in question? A home maternity test determines whether the woman tested is the biological mother of the child tested. Maternity is determined by comparing the child’s DNA with the DNA profile of the alleged mother. A home maternity test works like a DNA paternity test, except this analysis compares a child’s DNA profile with his/her mother’s. Even if the father is not tested, EDC can prove conclusively whether or not the child’s DNA matches the mother.