Labor test?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hi. I've just finished my first semester of an ADN program and aspire to one day be an OB nurse. I've got a questions I wanted to see if ya'll could help me with.

A pregnant girlfriend of mine was telling me that she's taking a 6 hr car trip(one way to a different state) at christmas to see family. She'll be 36 weeks pregnant. I asked her about traveling then & she told me she was gonna get her ob to do the "labor test" on her & that it would tell them if she was going to go into labor in the next 2 weeks or not.

She said if the test is negative then she won't deliver for at least 2 more weeks & can travel safely (dr does not know she is traveling, yet).

She did not remember the name of the test.

Does this "labor test" exist? I've never hear of it (ok, I know I've never heard of a lot of stuff). But I sure never had one when expecting my daughter. Dr told me there was no way to know & she'd come when she wsa ready.

Thanks for any insight you can give me.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

NO way.....she should not be taking such a trip that long at 36 weeks' pregnant. And please tell her, there is NO reliable way to test when and if labor will ensue in the next days, weeks or month. NO way, despite what she may have been told. If there were such a test that was truly reliable, and I were to discover it, you would know for sure I would be retiring fat, happy and rich, not working as a staff nurse now! (lol) Tell her to stay home; it's not worth it. 36 weeks? :stone

I can assure you, anything can happen; my water broke and I delivered my son at 34 weeks' 1000 mi from home--- strange hospital, strange town, staff and physicians unknown to me and baby was in the special care nursery for 10 days....NOT GOOD!!!! Oh and in case you wonder, yes, I was cleared by my physician to take the trip the day before I left!

.......It was a lesson learned the hard way, before I became a nurse. Now, as an OB nurse with my personal and professional experience, I can only advise your friend to NOT take such a trip. It's foolhardy at best. It's worth it to wait a few weeks and be safe. JMO.......good luck to her. I hope this helps you. :)

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im not a midwife but listen to smilingblueyes, she gives very good advice on these issues and is correct! she has given me advice on my pregnancy probs and am very grateful.

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As far as I know there is no test to predict the onset of labor. If there were eveybody would have it and the person who invented it would be a "saint" and VERY rich! That is too long a trip to take at this late date.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

They are probably referring to the Fetal Fibrinectin test, but it is not very accurate that late in pregnancy. Tell her to stay home unless she is ok with possibly delivering while away from home.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

True, fetal fibronectin tests exist. But they are not used for your friend's purposes; they are not used to predict term labor and when it may happen. If anyone is telling your friend they can predict with any real accuracy whether or not she will go into labor, they are not being truthful. The above poster is correct FFN is used for preterm labor prediction/potential, only. And it's not accurate enough for ANYONE to rely upon to take a 6 hour trip from home at nearly term pregnancy.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
im not a midwife but listen to smilingblueyes, she gives very good advice on these issues and is correct! she has given me advice on my pregnancy probs and am very grateful.

rofl ty for the vote of confidence..... :imbar

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Thanks for the insight. I did not think this was a reality. I'm gonna talk to her some more & see if I can convince her not to go.

I appreaciate the help.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I wish her well. You are good friend to look out for her!

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