Pregnancy worries alieviated with a fetal fibronectin test

April 8, 2009  Print    Email this Article   No Comments

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Pregnancy is a very exciting and stressful time but there is now a test that helps alleviate some of the worry. It’s called the fetal fibronectin test and can yield results in as quickly as 1 hour. It has proven to be very beneficial for mother and babies’ health. Local doctor Javier Cardenas explains more about how the test is performed.
Dr. Javier Cardenas.- “It’s an easy test. It’s performed in office or in the hospital and what we actually do its the procedure itself is very similar to a pap smear so its not painful. And what we do is just use a swab inside and check for the presence of a protein called fibronectin.”
If the test comes back positive there is a one in five chance the mother will go into labor early and it is at this point that doctors can intervene and make sure the baby is as healthy as possible before delivery.
Dr. Javier Cardenas / (956) 687-7200 .- “If a positive test occurs we can still do things that can help mom and baby such as giving anti natal steroids which can help the development process of baby especially in the lungs, the brain, the intestines.”
The good news is most insurances and Medicaid cover the test. Pre term labor is quite common and women who have had prior pregnancies resulting in early delivery at highest risk.
If you feel you may be at risk of pre term delivery consult with your doctor about having the fetal fibronectin test performed.