Preterm labor

Mommytoaprincess716 · May 2016

I'm 29 weeks and I've had a FFN swab come back positive last week and was admitted and given steroid shots for the baby's lungs they checked my cervix on Sunday and it was "long and closed" .

Fast forward to Thursday afternoon we went back to L&D because of contractions that wouldn't go away. They checked my cervix again and told me that I needed an ultrasound to see exactly the length because it "felt short" to that midwife.
My cervix is 2.5 cm long. Is this normal?
And has anyone else had this and still carried and delivered at term?
I'm a FTM and I'm terrified that my baby girl is going to be way too early.

BecauseBabyIamAPug · May 2016

Yes, 2.5 cm is considered normal. My cervix with my 2nd was 1.7cm at 24 weeks, and I carried to term.
Also, the FFN is a great tool, it states that you are more likely to give birth in the next two weeks. A negative is more accurate than a positive. Meaning a negative means you are 90% NOT going to go into labor in the next 14 days, but a positive is that you are about 70% most likely to go into labor. *

However, several things that can give a "false positive", including any blood (spotting), sex 24 or so hours prior and what not.

SO the FFN is a great tool but not an be all end all. Personally, if I were you, I would ask your provider about starting progesterone. Several studies have shown that using a progesterone gel/capsule vaginally has decreased the risk of preterm labor, and allow the pregnancy continue much longer than with out it.

Be expected to go on pelvic rest and bed rest. Even though ACOG says that bedrest DOES NOT STOP preterm labor in women with intact membranes (water hasn't broken). Actually, bedrest has been known to cause more harm than help. Yet, many providers still do this because they feel helpless and at least they are trying.

You may also have a irritable uterus. ASk them about oral medicine that you can take to help that. Indomethacin (indocin) used to be one of the first line drugs (oral anyway). It is my understanding that it still is.

* Dont quote me on the 70%, I need to verify that fact. I know it is somewhere around there though. Or at least it was a few years ago.

YeezusButters · May 2016

I have no idea who you are but I hope everything goes well for you and baby.

quartz02 · May 2016

best wishes to keep baby inside as long as possible. I know my SIL was on progesterone due to a history of premature labor.

KirstenKoskey · May 2016

I also had a positive ffn test. I went in thinking I had kidney stones (because I have a horrible history with them) No pain up front except maybe a mild crampy feeling, just extreme back pain. When I got to the hospital, which I stubbornly insisted on driving there by myself... I was told, yay, preterm labor. Contractions every two minutes (although I didn't feel them) and I was having "back labor"! That was last Thursday. I was given brethine multiple times until the contractions slowed, I had dilated just 2cm with a still long cervix. So they sent me home the next day on bed rest. Here I am now 30 weeks 4 days, up since 3am having back labor again, contractions almost non stop. Little one is way too eager to get here... So I guess the ffn test can prove truthful sometimes. Best of luck, I hope your LO holds out for you!