Testing high risk for early labour (positive fetal fibronectin test)

[Workingmama1]

Has anyone experienced this? What happened next?

Last week I went in for reduced movements at 32 weeks and because of increased braxton hicks which were also picked up on the ctg they did the fetal fibronectin test which came back as positive (1 in 6 chance of going into labour in the next week or 2).

I was admitted for monitoring and two lots of steriod injections, and discharged two days later being told to watch out for reduced movement and early labour signs.

I had to go in for monitoring on Wednesday and have a growth scan tomorrow.

For anyone who has been through this, what happened next? The doctor was very vague when I asked, and basically said you'll either go into labour or you won't! When I asked about ongoing care if I don't he couldn't answer it, I have no idea if I'll now be treated as high risk or need additional monitoring. I had to chase for both my scan and book my own monitoring when the scan wasn't until a week after I was discharged so not feeling confident in my care plan!

Hi @Workingmama1 sorry to hear you are going through this worry. I had a positive result at 27 weeks with my DD who is now 9! I was admitted and had the steroid injections, ouch how painful are they!! I was put on bed rest at home and DD arrived at 39 weeks.

I had this test (painful and regular Braxton hicks every 3-5 minutes. I look like I'm in labour on the monitor - the midwife was pretty concerned!) but it came back negative for me.

From what the Dr said if there is a risk of preterm labour they give you the steroids to help with lung development. They also told me that I would have regular monitoring after that if it was positive - I got the impression I would've been going back in pretty often. Maybe give your day unit or delivery suite a call and ask if they can advise? Definitely worth finding out.

The midwife did tell me that the test is quite inaccurate in her experience so there may be nothing to worry about but obviously that doesn't stop you worrying! Hope you get it sorted.

Did they check ur cervix to see if it was short or long ? Open , closed funnelling ? I had a positive test at 28 weeks so was admitted and given steroids I had my 1st ds at 28 weeks so popped my pants as have history of pre term birth ( I also have cervical stitch in place and my cervix had shortened and started to funnel) anyways I'm now 31+6. When I asked my consultant she said they are a good negative not so much a reliable positive. I would think you should still be followed up by a consultant and even offered growth scans ( this may be dependent on each hospitals policy) they really should have given u a plan before discharge. Maybe give the hospital or midwife a ring x

In my experience, unless there is a concern with your baby (or placenta, or cord) they would rather you stay pregnant as long as possible. So they won’t do anything to encourage the baby to arrive early but prepare you for it (which they have done with steroids). It really is now just a waiting game to see if you do go into labour. Any concerns though, just go to hospital to be checked over.

Thanks ladies.

I've had the steriods and at the moment there is no talk of anything other than waiting to go into labour naturally. I was just a bit miffed with the lack of plan at discharge, particularly with regards for onward monitoring! My first fundal measurement was really small and they did a growth scan the next day, this time it will have been 9 days from testing positive to getting a growth scan.

@mumof23188 did they give a particular reason for bed rest? I asked the doctor I'd I need to do anything differently and she just said don't go on a two hour hike up a mountain and go into labour at the top! I've been taking it easy regardless.

@boymum88 I'm assuming when they did the swab they checked my cervix too?

@Workingmama1 I was told you need atleast two weeks between growth scans to give baby a chance to grow x and yes they can either look when they do a virginal exam or they can go a virginal ultrasound, with which they can measure how short cervix is and if u have funnelling ( opening of cervix baby end )
I would just take it easy lots of sofa surfing if u can x

@boymum88 my last scan was 3 weeks ago so plenty of time for baby to grow! Although when they discharged me they thought I'd had a scan last week (I hadn't, it was a fundal measurement on my chart!) so I had to fight to get a sooner scan as they wanted tonleave it two weeks.

Hello, I just wondered how you got on? I am in the same position as you currently and I’ve just come across your post. I appreciate this is a zombie thread so may not get a response :)

Sorry to hear that, it's quite scary! In our case I had the two days of monitoring and steriods, and was told to take things VERY easy until 37 weeks. I had a few more cases of reduced movements and so ended up being induced and baby turned up 16 hours after I was induced on his due date!

@Workingmama1 oh wow so you managed to go full term! That's amazing. I'm having my second steroid tonight and they have said I can go home tomorrow and basically the same thing. Im praying I get to 37 weeks! Thanks for getting back to me x