Fetal Fibronectin Test

S.,
Have the ever checked you to see if you have Lupus?
Two of my kids were preterm because of this, but they never checked me for it. I found out I had it when the kids were in elementary school.
W. M.

I also had the fetal fibronectin test done at 32 weeks because I lost my mucous plug at 30 weeks. The results were positive and my son was born pre-mature two weeks later (at 34 weeks). The test was incredibly helpful for me mentally because it brought the reality of pre-term birth and the preparations that go with it (as much as you can). Like the other poster, make sure that no cervical exams are done before the test otherwise it is invalid. I had to re-do the test the next day because of this issue.

Hi there. I agree with the other moms that it can only help give you additional information. The test itself is no big deal...a quick painless swab and you get results in 24 hours.

It was very reassuring for me...I went into preterm labor at 28 weeks. I spent 36 scary hours in the hospital and was given steroid shots just in case. Labor stopped, so I was sent home. The next day I was sent for an ultrasound which showed I was already about 50% effaced but not dilated. I was put on bed rest after that. My doctor did FFN tests at 30, 32 and 34 weeks (all negative). She decided not to do any more after that, since at 36 weeks I was considered full-term. I had my (healthy but small) baby girl at 37 weeks!

Good luck, and most of all stay relaxed!!!

Yes, I have done the Fetal Fibronectin (FFN) Test with all three of my children. It is not harmful or painful--it feels similar to a pap smear. It is only beneficial. I had this test at 32 weeks with my first child, when I had bleeding. The test was positive, which meant that my body was preparing for labor and there was a 15% chance I would deliver within two weeks. My doctor used this information to put me on bedrest and I delivered a healthy, full-term baby at 40 weeks.

With my second pregnancy, I was having a lot of strong contractions at about 27 weeks, so I had a FFN Test and it was negative. Ten days later, I was in labor and delivery due to a lot of contractions. I was dilated to 1 cm (not unusual for a second pregnancy). My doctor was going to do another FFN (they last for about 2 weeks), but mistakenly did the cervical check first so could not then do the FFN. They sent me home with Terbutaline to take on an as-needed basis. About 3 weeks later, I had intense contractions and the terbutaline was not having an effect on them. I went to labor and deliver after about an hour and a half of contractions and was dilated to 6 cm. My second child was born that night, at 32 weeks--8 weeks premature.

With my third pregnancy, I wasn't taking any chances. I was in labor and delivery at 26 weeks with contractions every 10 minutes for 3+ hours. They did not do a FFN, but my doctor did one in his office the next day (different doctor than first two pregnancies) and it was negative. Regardless, he put me on partial bed rest. My doctor repeated the FFN two weeks later and it was positive, so I was put on strict bedrest. I couldn't do anything except use the bathroom and sit at the table to eat, but only if I wasn't having contractions. With this pregnancy, I did the weekly progesterone injections like you are doing, starting at 20 weeks. And starting around 26 or 27 weeks, I started on Terbutaline, around the clock, every 4 hours to slow down the contractions. The terbutaline helped for a while, then my body seemed to get used to it and around 34 weeks, it didn't work as well and the contractions picked up again. I was given "rescue doses" of steroids (to help the baby's lungs mature more quickly) at 28 weeks (with the positive FFN), and again at 34 weeks, just in case the baby was born early. Anyway, long story short, thankfully the baby was born healthy and "full-term," at 37 weeks and 6 days. I definitely recommend the FFN test! There are just absolutely no drawbacks. I wish I could do the second pregnancy over again and insist on the FFN every two weeks. It sounds like you're in good hands with your midwife. Good luck!!

Hi Sara-
I had my son three months ago. He is baby #2 - my first came 4wks early. I was experiencing preterm labor with frequent contractions. I had the test done at 30 wks and it was negative. I kept contracting even though I was given drugs to stop them and put on bed rest at 32 wks. Another test came back negative at 32 wks. At 34 wks also negative, dialated to one... But my baby was born at 35 wks b/c my water broke. There was no turning back at that point. So the last F Test wasn't accurate since my baby was born less than a week later. Maybe it was caused by other factors though...
Good luck.

I had the FFN done multiple times due to preterm labor @ 26 weeks. At 28 weeks I was put on hospital bedrest (at home) until 34 weeks. With the FFN mine all came back positive. I ended up having my son 16 days early.

Your midwife should make a point to tell you that there is a lot of false positive results. Basically a positive result only tells you there is a chance you could deliver your baby within the next two weeks. The negative result is a better indicator in the end because it basically means your safe for the next two weeks...

You might find this article helpful!!!
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/fetal-fibronecti...

Hi S.,

I had this test done 5 times in my pregnancy and it was fine. I kept having preterm labor and so ultimately I had my child about 2 weeks early. The exam itself was uncomfortable because it has to be completely sterile speculum exam-- no ky jelly or anything-- but its like a pap smear- they will swab you and then send it off. You get the results about 1 hour later. I just delivered my second child and everything was ok. Good luck to you and I hope that you have a happy healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Molly