Fetal Fibronectin (sp?)

[loismwallace]

I had a FFn test on Thursday. The test was negative thank goodness BUT when the RN did it, it burned like HELL! There is nothing on the Q-tip. I don't understand why it burned. It was horrible. Then for the next couple of days it burned when I urinated. Now, I didn't have any problems yesterday or so far today. I was just wondering if you guys think there could be some sort of infection on my cervix that caused it to hurt. Has anyone had this same feeling?

[loismwallace]

Yeah! My DH had to make me go. This pregnancy has gone A LOT smoother than my last. I was on bed rest for 3 mos because I had a positive fFN test with him. I just wanted to take my time and see what happened, but he got all antsy.......Turn out though the test hurt and it shouldn't have. So there's another question for my Dr tomorrow. Now I'm worried maybe I have an infection that caused the irritation and maybe that is what was causing the pain. I'll know more tomorrow.

[miko_latte]

Oh okay thanks, so I'm guessing by reading this you had a false alarm?? And that's when they did the test right?

[loismwallace]

Fetal fibronectin is a test they do when they think you are going into labor. They take a swab from your cervix to test for traces of fibronectin, which is released by your body when you go into labor.

You know what I found a great definition for it:

[edit] Diagnosic test
Fetal fibronectin "leaks" into the vagina if a preterm delivery is likely to occur and can be measured in a diagnostic test.[1]

It is an excellent biological marker of premature (preterm) delivery; a delivery before 37 weeks of gestation.

When the fFN test is considered positive, delivery is likely to occur soon. When the fFN test is negative, it means that there is little if any danger of preterm labour for 7-10 days. The test is easily performed. A specimen is collected from the patient using a vaginal swab. The swab is placed in a transport tube and sent to the lab for testing. The lab can easily produce a test result in less than one hour.

A systematic review of the medical literature found that fetal fibronectin is a good predictor of spontaneous preterm birth before cervical dilation.[2] The test may be run on patients between 22 and 35 weeks gestation.

A negative fetal fibronectin test gives a more than 95% likelihood of remaining undelivered for the next 2 weeks. On the other hand, a positive fetal fibronectin test only only means a higher risk of preterm delivery (61% of delivery before 34 weeks)[3]. So, the fetal fibronectin test can't tell you for sure that you are in labor, but it can tell you that you're not.

[miko_latte]

Sorry ladies but what test is fetal fibronectin? Which test is that and when do they do it?

[loismwallace]

Did you get the painting done? I'd love to see it near completion. I love that home improvement stuff.....lol

You know it's funny you mention it, my baby shower is on the 19 as well. My MIL and SIL are throwing it for me. I gave her my list and she asked if I minded if she added some people. I don't know alot of their Dads side of the family. I'm not sure what the turn out will be. Most of my family lives up north. I tell you what, with my last baby I got like 3 cases of wipes. I don't think I had to buy anymore until he was 1yr old......lol

Yeah! Party over here! I can't wait....

[prayerful wife]

Girl I havent done anything else to it.  My Shower is on the 19th so I'm going to wait and see how much additional space I'm going to need since my guest list is up to 50people now.  Then my mom came in yesterday and said she's going to need an additional 10 invitations for some people at her job.  I dont mind that's more pampers and wipes for me!  Have you had your shower yet, or do you plan on having one?

[loismwallace]

I watched the RN take it right out of the package...That's what worries me. It appeared to be sterrile. I haven't called my Dr because the pain w/ urination stopped with in 24 hrs or so, but I go for my 2 wk appt. on Thurs and I'm gonna tell him about it. Even that nurse said it isn't suppose to hurt. It was really weired....It hurt so bad I started getting a muscle spasm in my shoulder blade when I tensed up...Urgh! This pregnancy has gone pretty smooth. I hope there's not something else going on......

How are you prayerful wife? You getting ready? How has the nursery come out?

[prayerful wife]

I've had one done and it didnt hurt at all.  I dont want to acuse them of having something on the q-tip.  Did you see her take it directly out of the pack and then use it?  Or was it just on the tray?  Either way I would def call and make them aware of that b/c if it was any kind of infection swooshing it around in there probably didnt do it any good.

[loismwallace]

Does anyone have any insight on the fFN test?