Positive Fetal Fibronectin Test at 28+ weeks

[mum01030408]

On Monday I started having period pains/cramping, and lower back pain.
I knew it wasn't right but tried to tell myself that I had been overdoing things, but it continued all through the night, and into early Tuesday morning.

I went to the hospital early Tuesday morning and was assessed. I ended up having an internal exam:(, and had a fetal fibronectin test, which came back as a very very FAINT positive reading. It was enough to make the obstetrician admit me for rest, and steroid shots in my bum to mature baby's lungs if things had progressed. My obstetrician was just being precautious.
The pains became a little worse over Tuesday night, and eased off early Wednesday.

I have had a few tightening and a few pains today, but things have settled really well, and I am finally home!!! :smiliedance:

Has anyone had a fetal fibronectin test? Has it been negative/positive? Has it accurately predicted pre-term labour for you?

I don't think that I will be in full labour any time soon, just a bit of a scare to keep me on my toes and make me slow down...

[LibranTwin]

Sorry I haven't had this test, but just wanted to say well done on getting home :yelclap: and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

I might go do some research, never heard of it!

[naiwen]

I had this and it was negative ... but bubs was born anyway at 29+6 via emergency CS due to HELLP syndrome.

I didn't go into labour though.

Hope all goes well for you!

[LibranTwin]

Just got this off Baby centre... looks like it isn't really much of a predictor.

The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test can't tell you for sure that you are in labor (http://www.babycenter.com/search/showResultsForContent.htm?queryString=labor), but it can tell you that you're not. This is useful because in the early stages of preterm labor (http://www.babycenter.com/0_content_1055.bc), it's very difficult to tell if a woman really is in labor based on her symptoms and a pelvic exam.

A negative result on the fFN test means it's highly unlikely that you'll give birth in the next week or two, which can set your mind at ease and allow your practitioner to hold off on treatments that may prove to be unnecessary. A positive result, on the other hand, is not as useful. It means you're at a higher risk of giving birth early, but it doesn't guarantee that you're about to give birth or that you'll deliver early at all, so it won't help your practitioner decide how to manage your situation.

[kerrysinead]

Hi, I had tightenings/cramps at 25weeks and the fetal fibronectin test was negative. Because I was a high risk for preterm labour due to gynae problems and was living out in rural queensland, they still gave me steroids and nifedipine and flew me off to Brissie. I ended up hanging on until 32 and a bit weeks:yelclap:

From what I remember them telling me about the test is that is another diagnostic tool to try and predict preterm delivary but is not to be solely relied upon IYKWIM, sorry I dont know if I am explaining this very well! What I mean is that if your symptoms have ceased and there is no other problems then hopefully you should be ok. I think a positive result is supposed to give an indication that you may deliver in a certain period of time. I also remember them telling me there are both false positive and negatives although I cant remenber the percentages hence the reason they still flew me out with a negative result. Hope this helps a bit. Good Luck :hugs: