Negative Fetal Fibronection/Contractions

On Monday night I went to l&d because I was having lots of contractions (I counted 8 in an hour). They did a fetal fibronectin test and it came back negative. Because I was contracting, they gave me a shot of terbutaline, then they sent me home. They said to continue to monitor the contractions and to call the doctor if they become more frequent or stronger.

They said that the negative ffn test means that I'm not going to go into labor in the next two weeks. Given that, I'm confused about why I would start having more frequent or stronger contractions, or why it would be cause for concern. Is it because they could still cause cervical changes even if I weren't going into labor? I guess I don't understand exactly when I need to be concerned about the contractions. Maybe I just need to call my ob and ask her.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

I overdid it one weekend and have had strong contractions every since (I believe I was 25 weeks along). The contractions have only got stronger and more frequent since that weekend. I'm 38 weeks pregnant, not dilated at all and barely effaced. Listen to your body and know when to slow down.

I always felt more comfortable having my OB do a cervical exam to make sure they weren't causing any cervical changes.

Good luck!

 

i had a similar experience at 24 weeks but they kept me in the hospital, on mag sulfate, for several days til the ctx had basically disappeared. So, i would call the ob . . . at least let them put your mind at ease.

 

They can cause cervical change, even if you're not going into labor. Also, not to scare you because these statistics are still really good, but FFN tests are only about 90% accurate if negative (90% chance you WON'T go into labor in the next 2 weeks). So, I think they tell you to keep an eye on the contractions and report them, in the rare even that you might fall into the 10% who have a negative FFN and then go into labor within 2 weeks. They always say it's easier to stop labor the earlier you catch it.

Good luck!!

 

Not sure how many weeks you are, but you should be fine. If it was positive they would have given you steroids to develop the babies lungs.

I'm 32 weeks/5 days and was in the hospital over the weekend for contractions that were 2 min. apart. I didn't feel a thing! I', 90% effaced and 2 cm dilated. They gave me steroids because my Fibronectin came back positive, but they said it's not an accurate test. Apparently, it's more accurate if it's negative.
They let me come home and gave me meds to stop the contractions. I just had an internal today and there's been no change.

Good luck!

 

I was contracting every 2 minutes at 29 weeks and they were causing changes. I was put on meds to stop them and it seemed to work. I was still contracting every now and then but they were not causing any cervical changes. It is normal for the body to begin to contract in the 30's but the docs generally want to keep them in check until at least 34 weeks which is why they asked you to let them know if anything changes. Things can happen fast but with great communication between mom and doc it is generally possible to keep things under control.

 

I also had an L & D trip recently at 32 weeks. Contracting every 2 minutes and I definitely felt them!!! My docs told me the negative FFN is very reassuring for singleton pregnancy but they are not certain if it is as accurate for twins. They kept me for 4 days to get the contractions to stop and sent me home on bedrest until I reach 34 weeks. I was 2-3 cm and 60% effaced but those measurements did not change. I did get the steriod shots.

Since the uterus is a muscle it can get irritable and keep contracting without necessarily causing cervical changes. Try to rest and stay hydrated and don't let your bladder get too full since that can trigger contractions as well.
Good luck.

 

Thanks everyone for your input and advice! I do feel that I have a better understanding now. I will continue to monitor and call the doctor if the contractions get more frequent. Hopefully these are not causing any changes. They did do a manual check of my cervix in the hospital, and it was closed.

My doctor is on vacation until the middle of next week, so I'm going to have to wait and talk to her about all of this at my appointment next Friday.

 

QUOTE(Cocolucy @ Jun 7 2007, 05:35 PM) [snapback]283681[/snapback]
Thanks everyone for your input and advice! I do feel that I have a better understanding now. I will continue to monitor and call the doctor if the contractions get more frequent. Hopefully these are not causing any changes. They did do a manual check of my cervix in the hospital, and it was closed.

My doctor is on vacation until the middle of next week, so I'm going to have to wait and talk to her about all of this at my appointment next Friday.



I just had an appointment monday (32 wks and 4 days) and they said my cervix was softened and shortening and I have been having contractions for weeks and they are getting more frequent but only one time more than 4 in an hour. So they did a fibroid test and mine was negative. Im a little confused too, is softening and shortening a concern for ptl or should we not worry at all since it was neg. This all gets really confussing, Im w/ you there.

 

My advice is to pay attention to your body and make sure to call your OB if you are concerned. I had a negative fFn test on Monday and went into labor on that Thursday, so it isn't fool proof. They had told me it was 99% accurate. Good Luck to you. You have already made it to a huge milestone!!