Cervical length and FFN

megknyc · February 2014

Hello ladies!!! My first post in this forum but I have responded on occasion. So a quick intro now that I am in my 2nd tri and finally feeling like I belong here - and a question too!

Due Aug 10 - but induction no later than July 28. Twins - di/di.

Had my 14 week appt today. Dr. said I need to start going for a cervical length check and FFN every two weeks now. To those farther along or already with multiples - did you do this as well. Is it just a sonogram?

And the FFN - Is that just a swab with instant results?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Apologies if this was asked previously - the search never works for me.

megknyc · February 2014

Thanks @MrsLee04. Prescription for imaging center says with FFN. Maybe it's just the cervical checks every two weeks after that or only if needed. Dr. Left the prescription for me so the FFN part was something I had to google.

Everything has been normal thus far. She just said twins and my age (35), make me high risk.

Assuming it's just the u/s - I guess it is somewhat normal, although a little more often than you.

Did you start the cervical length checks around 16/17 weeks?

Thanks again.

CNYBride05 · February 2014

I only had ffn checked 2x and I was on hospital bedrest for 8 weeks.... Unless you are experiencing ptl, checking ffn regularly seems like a huge waste of your insurance company's money.

jocie2581 · February 2014

Cervical length checks started at 24 weeks for me. Then every 2/3 weeks. And FFN twice - when I showed signs of ptl.

I have 4 month old di/di twins. Delivered at 33 weeks.

chickaboo1974 · February 2014

I had cervical length measurements at 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 wks. All done by transvaginal ultrasound. I also had manual checks too. I never had an issue- my length never was below 4.5.

I never had a FFN - I never had any signs of PTL.

Oh and I was 35/36 when I was pregnant with my boys.

KatieGummow · February 2014

I am 29w4d with di/di boys. Don't know what ffn is, but I started cervical checks at my 12w appt. She just does a "manual" check though, and checks at every appt. My MFM who I see once a month does the check with the wand, but won't do it at any of my other appointments (i just had my 29w appt). So between the two doctors I was measured every 2 weeks. Now it is a little more.

24karat · February 2014

It seems very odd that they'd do a FFN every other week...usually it's reserved for if you're having PTL symptoms and a negative result means labor is very unlikely for three weeks following the test. I only had it done the one time I was admitted for observation due to PTL.

I had weekly u/s for most of the 2nd half of my pregnancy (mo-di, growth discordance, etc) and they'd check cervical length but never told me the measurements.

MrsP419 · February 2014

I have cervical checks with the MFM via transvaginal u/s every 2 weeks (I think I started around 16 weeks). I also have a growth scan every 4 weeks (it is done at the same time as the cervical check, just a longer appt). I don't even know what FFN means…should I?

Welcome! I am having di-di twins, too!

Gsk4874 · February 2014

They usually dont do a ffn test unless they suspect you might go into labor soon. I had 2 done at 24 weeks and 29 weeks but I was having contractions both came back neg and I delivered at 32 weeks. Around 22 weeks at an ultrasound with my mfm is when they checked my cervix and noticed it was short so for that reason I had it checked once a week, a shortening cervix is the reason I had the girls early.

Momof8inSC · February 2014

I have di/di twins.
Cervical length checked every other week by MFM starting at 16w. FFN started at 25w and every other week since. Growth checks once every 4 wks. Until 31/32 weeks and everything stops except growth checks once a week and OB does cervical checks manually.

katieg314 · February 2014

I started cervical length checks via transvaginal ultrasound every 2 weeks from 16-32 weeks & had growth scans every 4 weeks. I'm at 34w4d and have never had an FFN, but I also never showed signs of preterm labor.

pizzo84 · February 2014

FFN- Fetal Fibronectin- "predicts" the likelihood of imminently going into labour.

I had my results in half and hour (they may have been available earlier and just not communicated to me). I didn't find the experience memorably unpleasant.

FFN is not a super reliable test, however... A positive Ffn can be the result of intercourse, or other factors.

Good luck!

nebrasskagal · February 2014

I'll be 31 weeks tomorrow with di/di twins. Haven't had any cervical length checks or the FFN test. Guess each Dr or MFM has their own ideas as to best practices.

Want a personalized experience?

Cervical length and FFN

Re: Cervical length and FFN

Choose Another Board

Search Boards