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!

Yep, this was me in my second pregnancy.

I had regular tightenings every 3-4 minutes in my first pregnancy from 20 weeks but midwives kept telling me it was normal Braxton Hicks so I didn't go to triage and never had a ffn test. Turned out it was irritable uterus and I ended up delivering at 33 weeks. I should note that the contractions were CONSTANT from 20 weeks - all day and all night.

So in my second pregnancy I was on high alert. I had my first bout of contractions around 23 weeks so went in. Ffn was negative, cervix long, posterior and tightly closed, but I was prescribed progesterone pessaries anyway due to my history. I then had I think a total of three more bouts of contractions before term, always with around 3-5 mins between contractions, with the same results each time - ffn negative, cervix tightly closed. It was very different to the first pregnancy in that the contractions would stop on their own after a few hours, rather than carrying on indefinitely. I ended up delivering at 38 weeks.

In your position, as the contractions are getting stronger, I'd be tempted to go in again.

Yes sorry currently cuddling my 4 month old born at 30 weeks with a negative ffn test five hours before birth…the midwife looked at me about two hours before I gave birth and went ‘you’re the reason we have statistics…!’ Def go in if you’re worried. Hope you’re ok x