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The pregnant life is really just a rush! Many special precautions and preparations begin as soon as menstruation is delayed and the pregnancy test is positive . Thereafter, the new prenatal routine begins and many tests can be ordered for pregnancy monitoring and one of them that is very specific is the fetal fibronectin test.
Importance of prenatal care
It is a lot to plan and prepare for your arrival, but nothing can be left out, everything is very important and essential, prenatal care is not even mentioned. Perhaps you are the only one able to guarantee a healthy , peaceful pregnancy and delivery at the right time without any complications.
During the course of prenatal care, the doctor will request a battery of tests to analyze and ensure the well-being of the mother and baby and still be able to diagnose and treat any complications during pregnancy, avoiding premature births, for example. One of the tests that identify a risk of prematurity is the Fetal Fibronectin Test.
What is fetal fibronectin?
Fetal fibronectin is a protein produced by the amniotic sac during pregnancy, it has the function of keeping the embryo trapped inside the amniotic sac to the uterus. This protein is present in the vaginal content until the 21st week of pregnancy, and should be detected again only after the 35th week . This interval is when the Fetal Fibronectin Test is performed and if the protein is identified it means that there is a high probability of premature delivery.
It is important to know that if the test is positive, it is not a certainty that you will have a premature birth, only that there is a great possibility . At this point your doctor will be able to prescribe medications to prolong your pregnancy as much as possible and strengthen your baby so that everything goes smoothly during delivery, even if it occurs before the expected date.
If the result is negative, it means that the pregnant woman is less likely to go into labor for at least the next 7 to 15 days after the exam. So in fact it is all about good medical care to ensure the baby’s health.
When to Perform the Fetal Fibronectin Test
Having a premature birth is one of the fears that haunt most pregnant women. It is the concern for the baby’s health together with the expectation of having a good time, peaceful and happy, that often take the sleep of future mothers.
For this reason, in order for everything to happen in the best possible way, you should do the right prenatal care and share all your concerns , concerns and fears with your obstetrician. He who will help you understand each moment.
Stay alert with symptoms that deserve more attention and ask for a battery of tests that may indicate the need for any treatment or medication that you or your baby may need.
Indications for Fetal Fibronectin Testing
The Fetal Fibronectin Test is one of the tests that the obstetrician may order, especially if there are some of these symptoms that indicate the possibility of premature delivery:
- Having had a spontaneous premature birth (in this case, even if you did not present any symptoms in the current pregnancy)
- Presence of persistent uterine contractions between the 22nd and 35th weeks of gestation
- Shortening or dilation of the cervix
- Twin pregnancy
There are other risk factors that may indicate the possibility of premature birth. Check with your doctor and follow all guidelines. With follow-up and taking the necessary care, everything will be fine!
How Fetal Fibronectin Testing Is Performed
The fetal fibronectin test is very simple and safe . It resembles the old female exam companion, the Papanicolaou. The test is painless and the result is ready very quickly. The procedure is very simple, it is a kind of cotton swab that is inserted into the vagina to collect a sample of the cervical-vaginal secretion.
Result Reading
If fibronectin is present and you are between the 22nd and 35th weeks of gestation , the result is positive. Which indicates a possibility of premature birth. If fibronectin is not found, it means that the chances are remote of having a premature birth for at least the next 10 days.
Anyway, this test is really important to help in the treatment and prevention of prematurity of delivery, but like any other test, it is not a guarantee that you will have a delivery before the scheduled date.
So, if you are following all the recommendations of your doctor, doing prenatal care correctly and taking medications when indicated, it is best to relax, remain calm and remain firm that everything will go as smoothly as possible and you and your baby will be prepared for the big time.
Importance of Prenatal Examinations
During the nine months of pregnancy, it will be necessary to carry out a battery of tests for the doctor to assess the baby’s development, the clinical status of the pregnant woman and ensure that the mother and child are well and everything is going as planned . That is why prenatal exams are extremely important, each one has a purpose and the right time to perform it.
First Prenatal Tests
Right on the first visit to the obstetrician he will request most of the tests such as the complete blood count, blood glucose, HR factor , which are used to evaluate the blood components of the pregnant woman and prescribe some medication if necessary.
Tests are also requested to identify the presence of serology for HIV and VDRL, Toxoplasmosis, Rubella and Hepatitis B and C, which are diseases that are harmful to the baby and if diagnosed as soon as possible, the treatment will be more effective, in addition to the simpler ones such as feces and urine , but which are equally important and accurate to diagnose any complications in the mother’s health.
Ultrasound Examination
Another exam super present throughout the gestational period, but this one, expected and adored by future moms is ultrasound, which are images from inside the belly and so far, the only way to see the baby that is well hidden there.
Ultrasound is essential for monitoring the baby’s development and it is recommended to perform it at least 4 times throughout the pregnancy. If many mothers could do an ultrasound a week, is it or is it not? But it is not necessary to repeat the test many times, unless it is a request from your doctor.
Well, these are some important tests, but each case is different, and each pregnancy is unique and deserves special and special care. Trust your doctor and do all the tests he requests , remember how important each one is.
By following all the medical guidelines correctly, you will be taking good care of the baby and fulfilling your first roles as a mother . Take a deep breath because it is just the beginning , but know that it will all be worth it and that the rewards of motherhood are much more rewarding. Good luck!
See also: Biophysical Fetal Profile: Why?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
