Learn About Fetal Fibronectin Test

Dr. Lisa Masterson: Basically there are some new tests out, because they are really one of the highest rates for babies dying and babies being born prematurely. And so, there's things like vaginal cultures, that we can do. But also there's a test out called the fetal fibronectin test and this is just as easy as getting a vaginal culture. So once your doctor checks for any infections, because that can cause premature labor then, they do this really quickly. And fetal fibronectin, what they found is that is the glue that actually, holds the amniotic sac and what the amniotic sac is the -- it's the sac that surrounds the baby, that's filled with the water. It holds that sac to the uterus, and if you find some of this fetal fibronectin then, the great sign is -- the great thing is it's actually if we don't find it. Because if you don't find it then there's 99% chance that you won't go into labor. So this is a huge boon for predicting premature labor, which I'm sure, you're concerned about. Female speaker: Definitely. Dr. Lisa Masterson: With triplets, because that's with multiples that's a concern. Female speaker: So when do we do the test? Dr. Lisa Masterson: You can do this between 22 and 35 weeks. Female speaker: And if it predicts negative. Dr. Lisa Masterson: The negative is the most predicted value ever, because if it's negative then, you have you know 99% risk that you won't go into labor. If there is positive then, you have a 14 times more risk of going into labor, but it's not a 100%, going into labor in the next couple of weeks. So it's not real -- Female speaker: It's not specific. Dr Lisa Masterson: Yeah, it's not real specific predictor if it's positive. We do other things too, like check cervical length, if it's under 3 centimeters, we know you're at higher risk. But this you know, definitely if it's negative it gives you a little we bit of -- Female speaker: If it's negative it does give you some freedom. If it's positive you're still sort of in the dark, a little bit. Dr. Lisa Masterson: Exactly! For women who have multiples you know if who have had history of preterm labor, before like just she had who have other medical conditions that might pretty expose them to premature labor. This is a very good screening test for them. Female speaker: Would you do it every -- to doing that? Dr. Lisa Masterson: No, it's just as you could see. It's just few tip it's just a swap. Female Speaker:They are non-invasive test. Dr. Lisa Masterson: Non-invasive Female speaker: And it's covered by insurance, do you think? Dr. Lisa Masterson: Yes. So it's really great that we have this.