Fetal fibronectin test

Introduction

Fetal fibronectin is a healthy protein that's thought to help keep the amniotic cavity "glued" to the lining of the uterus. The amniotic cavity is the fluid-filled membrane that cushions your infant in the uterus. If this connection is disrupted, fetal fibronectin can be launched right into secretions near your cervix. The connection can be interrupted by an infection, swelling, the splitting up of the placenta from the wall of the uterus, uterine tightenings or shortening of the cervix.

If your health care company is concerned about preterm labor, he or she might evaluate a swab of these secretions for the visibility of fetal fibronectin in between week 22 and also week 34 of maternity. A positive fetal fibronectin test is a clue that the "adhesive" has been disturbed as well as you're at enhanced danger of premature birth within seven days.

Nevertheless, bear in mind that study hasn't revealed this test to boost results immediately prior to as well as after giving birth.

Why it's done

The fetal fibronectin test is utilized to eliminate preterm labor. It can offer useful details if you have signs or signs and symptoms of preterm labor.

If the fetal fibronectin test declares, your health care service provider might take actions to deal with early birth-- such as carrying out medication to improve the baby's lung maturation.

Risks

The fetal fibronectin examination is a simple treatment. However, false-positive outcomes can happen.

Just how you prepare

To prevent a false-positive result, the examination will certainly be done before any type of pelvic exam or transvaginal ultrasound. These examinations can cause a launch of fetal fibronectin and result in a false-positive result. Sexual intercourse as well as vaginal blood loss can affect the test results, also. If you experience genital bleeding or have actually made love within the last 1 day, the examination most likely won't be done.

Likewise, stay clear of utilizing douches or lubricating substances or putting medicines in your vaginal area soon before the examination. They additionally can affect examination results.

What you can expect

During the procedure

Throughout the fetal fibronectin examination, you'll lie on your back on an examination table. Your health care service provider will position a speculum in your vaginal canal and make use of a cotton bud to carefully swipe secretions near your cervix.

After the procedure

The sample will certainly be sent to a laboratory for evaluation.

In some cases, a transvaginal ultrasound is done after the example is required to measure the length of your cervix. During the ultrasound, you'll push your back as well as your health care service provider or technician will put a slender, wandlike device in your vaginal canal. The tool utilizes sound waves to electronically create photos on a screen.

Results

Outcomes of the fetal fibronectin test are either favorable or unfavorable:

Positive. A favorable outcome means that fetal fibronectin is present in your cervical secretions. If you have a favorable result between weeks 22 and also 34, you're at raised risk of early birth within 7 days.

Your health care company might take actions to prepare for a potentially early birth, such as giving you steroids to speed your child's lung maturity. Or, you could be offered drugs to lower the danger of neurological complications, such as cerebral palsy, in your infant. If you're having tightenings, you may be provided drugs to momentarily quit them.

Unfavorable. An unfavorable outcome indicates that fetal fibronectin isn't present in your cervical fluid. This indicates that you aren't most likely to supply in the following 2 weeks. In fact, an unfavorable outcome could be the most powerful benefit of the test-- allowing you and also your healthcare company to relax a little bit with the knowledge that an early birth isn't impending.

If you're concerned that you may be going into labor early, call your health care company. Do not stress over mistaking false labor for the real thing.

Warning signs of preterm labor include:

Routine or regular sensations of stomach tightening (contractions).

Continuous low, dull backache.

A sensation of pelvic or reduced abdominal pressure.

Mild abdominal cramps.

Genital detecting or bleeding.

Preterm rupture of the membrane layers-- in a spurt or a constant drip of fluid after the membrane around the child breaks or rips.

A modification in type of genital discharge-- watery, mucuslike or bloody.

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