What Is Fetal Fibronectin (fFN)?
Fetal fibronectin (also known as fFN) is a “glue-like” protein that bonds your developing baby to your uterus. Fetal fibronectin is detectable in vaginal secretions in the very beginning of pregnancy, when this bond is first forming, and then again at the end of pregnancy, when your body is getting ready to deliver your baby.
How does fetal fibronectin work?
Fetal fibronectin is a special protein that literally holds your baby in place in the womb. After the 35th week of pregnancy, it begins to break down naturally, and is detectable. If your body is getting ready to give birth prematurely, fetal fibronectin may be detected before week 35.
Fetal fibronectin is a “glue-like” protein that holds the developing baby in the womb.
How much fetal fibronectin is normal?
From weeks 22 to 35 in your pregnancy, there should be very little fetal fibronectin detectable with FullTerm™, The Fetal Fibronectin Test.
Normal fetal fibronectin at each week of pregnancy
From weeks 22 to 35 of pregnancy, fetal fibronectin detected by FullTerm, The Fetal Fibronectin Test, could be a sign that your body is getting ready to go into labor prematurely.
What other changes might my doctor look for?
Fetal fibronectin can often be detected before other symptoms of preterm labor, such as contractions and changes in cervical length. Doctors may use a combination of signs and symptoms when deciding the best course of action to take in relation to your pregnancy.