What you can expect

During the procedure

During the fetal fibronectin test, you'll lie on your back on an exam table. Your health care provider will place a speculum in your vagina and use a cotton swab to gently swipe secretions near your cervix.

After the procedure

The sample will be sent to a lab for analysis.

In some cases, a transvaginal ultrasound is done after the sample is taken to measure the length of your cervix. During the ultrasound, you'll lie on your back and your health care provider or technician will place a slender, wandlike device in your vagina. The device uses sound waves to digitally create images on a monitor.