Ffn test negative but contracting

[HayleyCampbell]

Hi all

Does anyone have any stories of having a negative ffn test but continuing with contractions?

I'm currently 31 + 3 with di/di twins and
was admitted to the antenatal ward for monitoring on Thursday last week as was having contractions and have history of premature labour (daughter born at 31 weeks). Was discharged Saturday as no progression and cervix closed which was great.

Fast forward to yesterday and the tightenings started up again, including transferring to my back, pressure down and every 10 minutes, so took myself back in to the maternity assessment ward today. I was monitored for 3 hours, babies are happy, ctg picking up tightenings, but cervix closed and had a negative ffn test (which I understand to be very accurate in predicted preterm labour). But since arriving home the tightenings have become more intense and every 7 mins like clockwork.

Really unsure whether to go back in, or try and get some sleep and hope it all quietens down again. The hospital have been great but I felt a little.like they're putting my back pain down to the fact that I'm carrying twins, but I know the difference between muscular achy lower back (got that too!), and intense pressure radiating round at intervals!

Phone them back and say you're not happy, you want assessing again. I wouldn't give it a second thought. If the tightenings settle, great! If they don't then at least you're in the right place 🙂

Ring and give them an update, better for you to be there than at home worrying x

They are only very accurate in positives, negatives are 55%

Mine was negative and I had baby 2 hours later at 34 weeks, I’d go back.

Eeeek. Thankyou for sharing your experience! I'm struggling with what's 'normal' twin pregnancy and what's not quite right. It's the regularity of them that's concerning me, as they're uncomfortable but not take my breath away painful!

My understanding was that a negative ffn was pretty accurate but that positives were only about 50% predictive. I had a positive ffn at 24 weeks but went on to 39 weeks. Having said that there are always exceptions and if you’re feeling that things are not right I would definitely go in and get checked. Best to get checked and all be fine than the alternative x