Purplish color to the vagina and cervix at 10 weeks' gestation is an example of which sign?

Purplish color to the vagina and cervix at 10 weeks' gestation is an example of which sign?

• A. Chadwick sign
• B. Goodell sign
• C. Hegar sign
• D. McDonald sign

Answer: (A)

Chadwick sign—the bluish-purple discoloration of the vagina and cervix from increased pelvic vascularity during early pregnancy. This happens because estrogen drives capillary engorgement and edema in the vaginal and cervical tissues, so the mucosa looks more purple or bluish than normal. It typically appears in the first trimester, often by 6–8 weeks, and can be evident around 10 weeks. Other signs you may hear about relate to changes in tissue softness or uterine tension rather than color. Goodell sign is cervical softening, Hegar sign is softening of the lower uterine segment, and McDonald sign refers to ease of uterine flexion with palpation. The described bluish color fits Chadwick sign best.

Chadwick sign—the bluish-purple discoloration of the vagina and cervix from increased pelvic vascularity during early pregnancy. This happens because estrogen drives capillary engorgement and edema in the vaginal and cervical tissues, so the mucosa looks more purple or bluish than normal. It typically appears in the first trimester, often by 6–8 weeks, and can be evident around 10 weeks.

Other signs you may hear about relate to changes in tissue softness or uterine tension rather than color. Goodell sign is cervical softening, Hegar sign is softening of the lower uterine segment, and McDonald sign refers to ease of uterine flexion with palpation. The described bluish color fits Chadwick sign best.