Testing for Fibronectin

How is it tested?

Testing is similar to having a smear test.  There is no risk to you or your baby and the result is available in 20 minutes.

An advantage is that a cervical ultrasound can be performed at the same time increasing the accuracy of the screening process.

Testing can be repeated at regular intervals through the pregnancy.

Who should have a Fibronectin Test?

Any woman who is concerned about early labour can have the test; however there are some women who may find the test particularly useful: 

• Those experiencing symptoms of labour between 23 and 35 weeks of pregnancy

• Those at high risk of early labour between 23 and 35 weeks of pregnancy

• Women contemplating travel in mid to later pregnancy

Pregnancy and Travel - How a Fibronectin Test can help

‘Is it safe to travel doctor?’ is a common question for pregnant women to ask.

Increasingly women want to travel during pregnancy for a variety of business, recreational or family reasons but do not want to run the risk of delivering while in another country or away from home.

Partners may wish to arrange business travel to try to ensure that they are not away when there is a chance the woman may go into labour.

No one can completely protect themselves from such problems; however Mr. Maxwell and Professor Shennan have combined Fibronectin, cervical assessment and a scan of the baby into a Pregnancy Travel Assessment that can assess the likelihood of complications.

If assessment is negative it can provide reassurance so that parents can make their travel arrangements with a greater degree of confidence.

If the test is positive the parents may wish to defer them accordingly.