Softening of lower uterine segment during pregnancy is known as?

Appeared in: JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

Hegar's sign is defined as the softening of the lower uterine segment (the isthmus) during early pregnancy.
This sign is elicited during a bimanual pelvic examination, where the examiner can compress the softened isthmus between the fingers in the vagina and the hand on the abdomen.
It is considered a probable sign of pregnancy and is typically present between the 6th and 12th weeks of gestation.
The softening is due to hormonal changes, primarily increased progesterone, which leads to increased vascularity and edema of the uterine tissue.

Option A: Goodell's sign refers to the softening of the cervix, not the lower uterine segment. During pregnancy, the cervix changes from a consistency similar to the tip of the nose to the softness of the lips.
Option C: Striae albicans are stretch marks. They are a dermatological change resulting from the stretching of the skin and are not related to the consistency of the uterus. 'Albicans' refers to the white, scar-like appearance they take on after pregnancy.
Option D: Linea nigra is a line of hyperpigmentation that appears on the abdomen during pregnancy. It is a skin change caused by hormonal fluctuations and is not related to the softening of any part of the uterus.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Probable Signs of Pregnancy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the signs of pregnancy is fundamental for nurses in antenatal care. These signs are categorized into presumptive, probable, and positive.
Hegar's sign is a 'probable' sign. Probable signs are those detected by an examiner and are strongly suggestive of pregnancy, but they are not conclusive as they can be caused by other conditions.
Positive signs, such as visualizing the fetus on ultrasound or detecting a fetal heartbeat, are the only definitive proofs of pregnancy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'softening of lower uterine segment'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of the specific medical terms for the signs of pregnancy.
Review the options provided and recall the definition of each term.
Goodell's sign is softening of the cervix.
Hegar's sign is softening of the lower uterine segment.
Striae albicans and Linea nigra are skin changes.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q3v9jkWhCLt_GEjkO6CFwo

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur pp. 7-12, 6-11

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 40-59

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