Fetal fibronectin test

Overview:

The fetal fibronection test checks for any fibronectin fluid in the vagina. There should not be any fibronectin fluid in the vagina before 35 weeks of pregnancy. If there is, it means that there is a problem with the amniotic sac.

According to doctors, a normal pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. The woman can go into labor anytime between the 37^th and 42^nd week. According to them, preterm labor happens when the woman goes into labor between the 23^rd and the 37^th week of pregnancy. Fetal fibronectin is present in the vaginal fluid of a to-be mother and indicates that the mother has a normal growth of tissues between the uterus and the amniotic sac. Once this phase of development is over, the levels of fetal fibronectin in the vaginal fluid begin to drop. The protein can be found in the vagina sometimes after 36 weeks to indicate that the woman is getting ready for childbirth.

What Is Fetal Fibronectin:

Fetal fibronectin is a protein that works like glue to keep the amniotic sac(a bag filled with amniotic fluid that holds the fetus inside it) attached to the inner lining of the uterus. If the amniotic fluid no longer remains stuck to the uterus, the fetal fibronectin seeps into the vagina and is detected by the fetal fibronectin test. If the test is positive, it means that the woman is at a risk of delivering within the next seven to 14 days.

When Does the Doctor Recommend The Fetal Fibronectin Test:

The doctor recommends the fetal fibronectin test when the woman shows signs of preterm labor. The indications of preterm labor include:

Contractions in the uterus.
Pain or cramps in the abdomen.
Pain in the lower part of the back.
Loss of mucous plug and changes in the vaginal discharge.
Indications of the cervix dilating.
Pain in the pelvic region.
Breaking of water.

The test is also conducted for people who may be at risk of pre-term labor due to the following conditions:

Previous surgeries in the uterus or the cervix.
Habit of smoking during pregnancy and if the mother is underweight during pregnancy.
If the person has a short cervix.
Short gap between two pregnancies.
If there is a history of preterm pregnancy.

The fibronectin tests are done between the 22^nd and the 34^th week of pregnancy as the fetus is not likely to develop any issues after the 35^th week of pregnancy.

What Happens During A Fetal Fibronectin Test:

Before the test, the doctor gives detailed instructions for the test to provide accurate results.

The values of the test may be influenced by the following factors:

The person undergoing the test should not use any medications or chemicals such as soaps, lubricants, suppositories, or douche the vagina.
There should be no pelvic examinations or any transvaginal ultrasounds before the test.
The person should not have had sexual intercourse 24 hours before the procedure.
Any process that can disturb the cervix or the vagina should be avoided.
If the person has vaginal bleeding before or during the test it can affect the results of the test.
The test involves the doctor putting a cotton swab inside the vagina to extract a sample of the vaginal fluid from the vagina or the cervix. The sample is dispatched to the laboratory for testing.
Once the sample is received by the laboratory, it takes around 2 to 3 days hours to get the results.
If the results of the test are positive, it indicates the presence of fetal fibronectin in the vaginal fluid and the woman may be at a risk of going into preterm labor.
The doctor advises the person to take the necessary precautions and mentally prepare them for a premature childbirth. This may also include the prescription of medicines like corticosteroids for developing the fetal lungs to avoid respiratory distress syndrome and other problems at birth.
The doctor may also prescribe medications to slow down the contractions and antibiotics to prevent infections if the water has broken.
However, a positive result doesn’t necessarily mean an early birth. It allows the doctor to assess and supervise the situation and take the required precautions in terms of treatment.
If the person has tested positive, the doctor may suggest additional tests like an ultrasound.
If the test is negative, the doctor may repeat the test after a week or fortnight.

The Risks Of A Fetal Fibronectin Test:

The test is relatively safe with no side effects or complications. However, like any other test if the pre-test precautions and restrictions are not taken care of as per the instructions of the doctor, then the test has the chances to give false positives or negatives. Moreover, the test only indicated that there are chances of preterm labor. It cannot predict the exact time and day of delivery. There have been instances when the person has tested positive for fetal fibronectin test and has achieved full-term pregnancy.

Conclusion:

The fetal fibronectin test is suggested by the doctor only if a person is at risk of preterm labor or premature birth. The test is safe, the woman doesn’t feel any pain and involves only a collection of vaginal fluid with a swab that takes only a few minutes. The test provides useful information about the status of the delivery of the person. Sometimes, the test gives false negatives or positives depending on certain factors, and hence, instructions provided by the doctor must be followed well.

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