31 wks High blood Pressure + positive Fetal Fibro nectin

[antwonelouie]

I have been having contractions, and I tested positive on the fetal fibronectin test to see if i could go into preterm labor,  I also had unusually high blood pressure (the bottom # was 99) ( never had blood pressure problems before) how is the blood pressure going to effect my pregnancy, is this why i am having contractions?   also my cervix hasn't changed does that mean the test was probably in accurate?

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

The fetal fibronectin test is not very reliable when it is positive.  It is about 50% accurate in that setting.  When negative, it is quite reliable.  A negative test is ~98% accurate at predicting a woman won't deliver in two weeks time.  This discrepancy in how the test works should be taken into consideration by your doctor(s) when using it.  

Your BP is not related to whatever cervical change you have made.  But it does suggest you are in the process of developing gestational hypertension which may lead only to elevations in blood pressure or to a syndrome called Pre-eclampsia (or toxemia of pregnancy) which is notable for elevated blood pressure and excess protein in one's urine.  Pre-eclampsia can present in a severe form and a mild form.  It is thought these complications are related to the placenta which is why delivery is considered the cure.  Both mild and severe pre-eclampsia require delivery before one's due date.  

You should talk to your doctor about these issues, how you will need to be followed here forward and how to make sure your baby is doing well as it too can be affected.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing

[kaity08]

hey, the only advice I can give you is for you to go to the doctor immediately, it seems like you are going into labor, I hope you a safe delivery, and there are a lot of people with high blood pressure, I think that you have to go to the doctor even if you arent going into labor, because the doctor should fix your blood pressure because of the baby