Positive Fetal Fibronectin at 32 weeks, Alan!!

[Meluchja]

Hi, I'm really hoping that you will see this thread Alan, and would love to hear from other Mummies to be who have tested positive to this test.

First I'll tell you a little about what happened last thursday, I went into hospital at 1pm with what I was sure but scared to believe were contractions that were 3-5 mins apart. They did the fetal fibronectin test, that read positive, an internal was performed to see what was happening to my cervix, the OB said it was very soft, and starting to open. Straight away I was started on nifedipine and given my first shot of steroids, as they thought labour was starting. Luckily the nifedipine had given my body enough time to stop the contractions on its own. They kept me on the nifedipine for 48 hours, until the second lot of steroids had a chance to work. Now after 4 days, I have been allowed to go home, but on bed rest until I reach 34 weeks. I'm just so glad we live so close to the hospital and was allowed to go home, as the doc said if we didn't I wouldn't be discharged until 34 weeks.

I was just wondering how many women you have known who have tested positive to the test, have gone into labour in the next couple of weeks. I was told the test in more accurated at giving a negative result, that it would give me a 99% chance of not going into labour over the next 7-10days. And that a positive only means I have a 1-3 chance of going into labour over the next 7-10days. I'm lucky that my cervix is still closed other wise it would be a 2-3 chance. Have you known many women Alan, who have tested postitive but have made it to full term or close enough?

Any thoughts or experiences of similiar situations I would love to hear, as I'm so nervous he is going to come so early. But I'm at least glad that we had the chance to get the steroids into me, so his lungs will be ready if he does.

After all this, who will want to bet me, I have to get induced 10 days over I guess it's better than 8 weeks early though.

Thanks in advance, and I'm so sorry about the long post, I'm just in desperate need of some reassurance that everything will be o.k. either way things pan out.

[Alan]

Hi Mummy Mel

Everything you say is right. A negative result is more accurate than a positive result. If they had not managed to stop your contractions they you would have your baby by now. Rest as much as you can, if possible do nothing apart from sitting/laying on the lounge the only activity you should do is going to the toilet. If the contractions start again then go straight to the hospital.
Because your contractions have stopped then you have a good chance of getting close to 40 weeks. However should your baby be born in the next couple of weeks he may need a bit of help with breathing and feeding but otherwise he should be OK.
I can think of 1 woman who like you had some regular contractions she was only 28 weeks. Tested positive for fibronectin, was given nifedapine and kept in hospital for a few days. She gave birth at 37 weeks. Baby was healthy and did not need any medical support.

[Meluchja]

Thank you so so so much Alan.
I'm glad you come on here, it makes a huge difference to us all to have your support and reassurance when ever we need it.
Fingers crossed this little guy hangs in there until full term. Hopefully I will be the second person you know of who has carried to full term after testing positive to the test before 34 weeks.

One more thing I was hoping you could help me out with if you don't mind is, the OB who discharged me said that the small bloody show I had on saturday could be my mucas plug starting to erode, since the cervix length was still 2.8cm and there was no sign of bleeding or any other problems on the scan. Does this sound right to you? I was thinking after doing some reading that, if it has started to erode, could that be why I tested positive to the fetal fibronectin test, could some of the protein be leaking through the crackes of my mucas plug. It's just a theroy my blonde brain has come up with, probably totally impossible, but I'm just trying to make sense of this all and keep searching for reasons and answers to what happened or is happening. Sorry to dumping it all one you.

[Alan]

Hi Mummy Mel
The show you had could have been part of your mucus plug. But it could also be because of the internal the Dr gave you. If you can tell me what it looked like I could tell you if I think it was your plug. I don’t think that loosing your mucus plug will increase your fibronectin levels. I think that your fibronectin levels went up is because you were in early labour.

[Meluchja]

Thanks Alan. I knew it was a stupid guess. I would say the best way to describe the discharge I had was a little like semen with streaks of blood in it. I'm still getting alot of discharge now that is a mixture of cloudy and clear sticky mucus, do you think this is normal too, I noticed it really start to increase about 3-4 days before all this happened last week. I'm aware it can increase during the last trimester, do you think it could just be a normal 3rd trimester discharge? Sorry for TMI, and thanks again for your help.

I have just been so worried about the thought of going this early, but I think I am finally coming to grips with if it happens it happens.

[Alan]

That sounds like it could have been part of your plug. Yes I do think that your increase in vaginal discharge is normal.

I have just been so worried about the thought of going this early, but I think I am finally coming to grips with if it happens it happens.

That is a great attitude to take. We can do things to help to reduce the chance of going early but sometimes these things happen. So for the next few weeks NO WORKING FOR YOU. No housework. No Washing of clothes. No Shopping. Just sit on the lounge and watch TV.

[Meluchja]

Thank you so much for your help Alan. I really really mean it, your the best!!