High Cervical Fetal-Fibronectin Concentrations and Birth within 3 Days in Pregnancies of 41 Weeks or More

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Abstract
Preterm birth has been reported to occur shortly after the appearance of substantial amounts of fetal fibronectin in vaginal and cervical secretions.1,2 Fetal fibronectin, a component of the extracellular matrix of fetal membranes, leaks into the cervix when the interaction between the fetal membranes and the uterine wall weakens. However, if the vaginal fetal-fibronectin concentration remains low at 39 weeks of gestation, then the pregnancy is likely to progress beyond 41 weeks,3 with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality.4 If the approximate day of parturition could be predicted, it would aid in deciding whether to induce labor, thereby averting unnecessary interventions.

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