Positive fFN--Need advice ASAP please!!!

[APToddlerMama]

I'm hoping some of you NICU/preterm birth mamas can help me.  I'm 29 weeks and just had a postive fFN.  I'm headed back shortly to have cervical check and ultrasound of cervical length done, which they had been doing up and had been fine last time I had it done 2 weeks ago.  I just switched from my OB to a perinatologist and they have very different views of fFN and what to do with a positive.  OB had told me she would give me steroids for baby's lungs, but now perinatologist indicated to me that there is no point in giving steroids when there is only a 1/4 chance I'll go into preterm labor.  I guess I don't understand....are there some huge drawbacks from doing steriods?  I do have a history of one preterm birth at 25 weeks with placental abruption (cause unknown).

So for you mamas who have been there....were steroids a choice?  Were they suggested or not?  What did you choose and what were the results?  Anything else they had you do with a positive fFN like bed rest? 

Any false positive fFN stories also appreciated...thanks in advance mamas.

[Zan&Zav]

I have no experience with the test you are talking about, just wanted to wish you good luck and prayers that baby sits tight. I do havee experience with the NICU and it's a long road but if you get there you can do it.

[maryeliz]

I would take it as a good sign that the peri doesn't want you to have the steroid shots yet, because that means that he/she doesn't think your labor is imminent.  This is what I was told about the steroid shots: they need to be given 48 hours before the birth, but they lose effectiveness over time.  By a week to 10 days later you really don't get much benefit.  However, they don't like to give additional shots because the risks for the baby start outweighing the benefits, so they try to time the shots as close to that 48 hr window as they can.  I assume your peri is waiting for some additional signs that you really will go into preterm labor.  Can you have a follow up conversation and see if they will run through all the possibilities with you?

Good luck, hopefully your baby will stay in as long as possible!

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by Zan&Zav 

I have no experience with the test you are talking about, just wanted to wish you good luck and prayers that baby sits tight. I do havee experience with the NICU and it's a long road but if you get there you can do it.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  I appreciate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryeliz 

I would take it as a good sign that the peri doesn't want you to have the steroid shots yet, because that means that he/she doesn't think your labor is imminent.  This is what I was told about the steroid shots: they need to be given 48 hours before the birth, but they lose effectiveness over time.  By a week to 10 days later you really don't get much benefit.  However, they don't like to give additional shots because the risks for the baby start outweighing the benefits, so they try to time the shots as close to that 48 hr window as they can.  I assume your peri is waiting for some additional signs that you really will go into preterm labor.  Can you have a follow up conversation and see if they will run through all the possibilities with you?

Good luck, hopefully your baby will stay in as long as possible!

Well, the peri totally dropped the ball.  My cervical length had shortened massively, she ignored that, and I ended up in full blow PTL, stopped by Magnesium which was pretty much hell.  So, now I've dropped the perinatologist.  Luckily baby is staying in despite being at plus one station and totally effaced.