UK heartthrob Jude Law is going to be a dad again according to published reports. The woman in question is a former lover of the Alfie star. Mr. Law is no longer in a relationship with the individual concerned but he intends to be a fully supportive part of the child’s life.

Law has three children with his ex-wife Sadie Frost – Rafferty, 12, Iris, 8, and Rudy Indiana Otis who is 6. He and his ex-wife reportedly fought a custody battle for over two years.  The baby girl is due on october 6, the same birthday as law’s eldest child.

Jude’s Paternity Test

He reportedly kept the baby news under wraps because he wanted to be certain he was the father before the story broke. A source was quoted in Life & Style magazine saying, “Jude and the mother of the child had a DNA test done to prove that Jude was without a doubt the father.” Some people may be surprised to learn that this can be done before birth, and in fact it is not considered a routine procedure.

It does carry some risk, and it is usually limited to women experiencing pregnancy after 35, or who have a family history of genetic disease. DNA samples can be taken from the umbilical cord of a newborn to determine paternity. It usually takes up to 2 months to receive results in the case of an unborn child. For this reason, and because of the risks to the baby, most doctors advise against doing it.

Who’s the Mother?

Law reportedly met the mother while filming the upcoming Sherlock Holmes in New York. He plays Dr. Watson in the movie directed by Guy Ritchie. The mother, with whom Law had a brief fling, was eventually identified as model Samantha Burke. According to a quote from an insider, “After he left, she found out she was pregnant. She tried to reach him, but the cell phone number she had for him was a temporary number that he only used in New York while filming.”

The source also said that Law had no problem being a father to the baby, and that Burke was about 7 months pregnant. Part of a statement released by her attorney said, “… Since informing Mr. Law of the pregnancy, he has been nothing but responsive and supportive of Ms. Burke”

It is certainly good that Law is willing to take responsibility for his child. Some may criticize his decision to require a DNA test on an unborn child, but I can only hope that all necessary precautions were taken. I join others who no doubt hope for a safe delivery, and wish him the best of luck.