Fibronectin test for threatened preterm labour

Emma Parry

Preterm labour can cause a baby to be born too early, when its heart and lungs are not ready to function on their own. This can lead to respiratory problems at birth, and sometimes death. Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are more susceptible to learning problems and hearing or vision problems. Some may develop serious physical or mental handicaps as they grow older.

Pre-labour contractions occur in up to 5% of pregnancies. In most pregnancies these settle and no treatment is required. If preterm labour is a risk, the mother is usually given two steroid injections to help prepare the baby’s lungs for birth. Tablets are also given to stop the contractions for 48 hours while the steroids are administered. The mother is usually in hospital.

For most women, this level of treatment is not necessary. In 2002 a new test was introduced to National Women’s Hospital that makes it easier to identify women who are not going to deliver prematurely. If the fetal fibronectin test is negative, there is a 99.5% chance the baby will not be born in the next 10 days.

Dr Emma Parry conducted an audit of practice before and after National Women’s started using the fetal fibronectin test. The audit revealed that using the test resulted in shorter hospital stays for women with preterm contractions, and fewer the interventions.

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