Thanks to today's technology, women with preterm symptoms or high-risk pregnancies can alleviate worries of premature labor by taking the fetal fibronectin (fFN) test at Christie Clinic. The test, specifically for women at 22 through 34 weeks of gestation, yields one of two results.

A negative test typically means the patient will not go into labor for another two weeks, considerably reducing the need for medical suppressants. Though less conclusive, a positive yield may help Christie providers and patients delay the preterm process through hospitalization or medications.

Fetal Fibronectin & Testing

Acting as an adhesive, fFN is a protein that bonds the fetal sac and uterine lining. If fFN leaks from the uterus and a large amount is found in the vagina prematurely (between 22 and 34 weeks), the bond may be disintegrating too quickly. This, in turn, increases the chance of going into labor and delivering well in advance of the due date.

In order to detect the amount of fFN, Christie physicians take a swab sample of vaginal and cervical secretions (similar to a Pap smear). An important note: Women should not take the fFN test if they've had sex or used lubricants 24 hours prior to the procedure. Christie providers will release the fFN results anywhere from several hours to two days following the test.

Preterm Labor Symptoms

Women should pay attention to the following warning signs. If these symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is required:

• Contractions every 10 minutes or more often
• Change in vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pressure — the feeling that your baby is pushing down
• Low, dull backache
• Cramps similar to a period
• Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

For more info on fFN, call Christie Clinic's Department of OB/GYN at 217.366.1255 or visit http://www.christieclinic.com.