Positive Fibrinomectin swab and thinning of cervix - How far did others get after being told this?

[Bex174]

Hi Guys,

I was admitted to hospital overnight with very painful, regular tightenings. Every 10mins on the dot for 2 hours before getting wider apart then stopping, thank goodness!

I'm carrying twins and will be 33wks tomorrow. As one twin has a kidney issue I'm trying desperately to hold them in as long as possible so my baby will be fit, bigger and stronger if any interventions are needed soon after birth.

However during the investigations yesterday, they said I had a positive fibrinomectin test which says I'm at a higher risk of labour occurring in the next 7-10 days, as well as finding my cervix is starting to get a bit shorter and softer. All things which could point to an early appearance...

Although they say this, they also said its simply risk factors, I could still very much get to 38wks without further issues.

They don't know any percentages for people that do deliver early after these findings, so was just wondering what other people's experiences were? Did your little ones come early in the end? If so how early? Or did you manage to reach full term?

Many thanks in advance! Just needing to find out more about this as although my hospital is being absolutely fantastic with my care, it's quite unnerving thinking things could be ticking down much sooner than expected or needed...

Sorry this is happening. After a bleed at 31 weeks my test was positive and I got to 33.
With sevond pregnancy my cervix started to thin at 37 weeks and got to 33 weeks.
It sounds like it could be likely, but stay positive and rest. My consultant always said to get over 32 weeks as long term issues are alot less likely. Are you in hospital?

Thin at 26 weeks not 36, I would have been delighted at that!

I never had the fibrinmectin test, but my first son was born at 32+3 weeks and with my second, my cervix started to thin at 27 weeks. I made it to 36+4 weeks with a lot of bedrest. There is no real evidence that bedrest works, but taking the pressure of your cervix as much as possible might help slow things down a little bit. Getting to 34 weeks is ideal, but my premature son was absolutely fine - so 32 weeks plus is already good!

Good luck! I am currently 29+3 and worrying a lot about short cervix problems, so I feel for you! If I can hold on until 34+0 I will be so relieved...

My aim all along was to get to that magical 34 weeks, I'm 8 days off so I'm really hoping they will hold on in there that bit longer!

I'm still in hospital at the moment, they're wanting to keep a real close eye on things over the next few days to make sure the contractions don't come back again and that my cervix isn't having dramatic changes happening. Compared to yesterday it has stayed the same so that's a good sign at least.

But does seem like you all had them arrive early with similar signs to me, so is best prepare myself by the sound of it. Best get ordering baby bits, thank his for online shopping!! So typical as my other half and I had planned to finish all of our baby shopping this Bank Holiday, always the way!!

Thanks so much for your information and replies though, it's nice to hear how others got on in similar circumstances as it is so worrying when it happens unexpectedly to you

What were everyone's positive results? Mine were relatively low, around 8% chance. Plus my cervix is still closed and neck of vagina still long and thin.xx

I wasn't given the actual percentage for the fibrinomectin test, they just said mild positive, so not imminently so, just higher risk over next 7-10dsys. The consultant looking after me essentially said that any positive to them is a positive though, it's like a pregnancy test, you can't be just a slight bit pregnant, you either are or aren't!

But it sounds good to me that your cervix isn't showing any changes as yet, long and thin is perfect and what you want. Mine was getting short and softer which is why they were pretty worried about me and keeping a real close eye on things

I had a positive fetal fibronectin test at 33weeks following observations for reduced fetal movements. I was admitted for 3 days, being told I was likely to deliver within 24-48hrs.

DD was delivered at 37+5 following induction at 37+1 - I was induced due to repeated reduced fetal movement. I don't think they are sure with the fibronectin test whether you really are likely to deliver early, so try not to panic too much.

I hope you can cook your babies for a bit longer, but you're in the best place should they decide they need mummy cuddles sooner than you'd like

I had this at 33 weeks with ds2 after about 5 hours of contractions less than 5 mins apart (can't remember timing off hand, maybe about 3 mins?). Spent 2 nights in hospital on steroids to develop lungs and something else to stop labour, then went home. Ds2 then hung about until 41+6!

So are these classed as actual contractions if we got positive test results and not just Braxton hicks? X

I think it depends on the type of feelings you were getting? To be honest I haven't had any BH's to compare what I had to...

My contractions were very painful, to the point I couldn't speak at the time of them occurring and had to do the breathing exercises you learn about. I had them also when hooked up to the fetal heart trace and it showed strong uterine activity at those time points. The midwife also had her hand on my belly as they were happening and she confirmed my whole uterus was solid with no fetal movements felt during these contractions, but they came back in between. So it seems mine were actually the real thing that luckily just didn't progress.

But all is being good at the moment, the twins are behaving themselves and I'm being discharged to go and relax at home shortly :)

Thanks. Yes, that's what midwife and consultant said to me. They could physically see and feel my uterus contracting. So I'm assuming they were proper contractions. All good now and no more pain. Hopefully its just been one of these things and I'll be able to go to full term. X