Simple instrument for measuring cervical dilatation during labour

Abstract

The construction of a simple disposable instrument for the measurement of cervical dilatation is described. The instrument consists of two clips, a measuring tape and a flexible tube. The measuring tape is fixed to one clip and threaded through the flexible tube, which is fixed to the other clip. The clips are attached to opposing cervical rims at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and the differential displacement of the marking on the measuring tape and free end of the flexible tube is measured. Laboratory measurements were performed in order to determine the error of measurement. The absolute error of measurement with this instrument is 1.5 mm. Clinical measurements were performed on 12 parturients with a single foetus in vertex position and 3 to 4 cm cervical dilatation. The results of measurements were within +/-1 cm error margin of manual assessments. No adverse effects were noted due to the use of the instrument. The instrument did cause minor discomfort to patients during application.

The Increasing Trend in Cesarean Sections in South Eastern Italy: Medical and Biopolitical Analysis of Causes and Possible Mechanisms for its Reduction

“…Reviews by van Dessel [47] and Lucidi [48] outline the design and use of all these devices; it is interesting that in the interval (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000) between these two reviews there was not a single publication on cervicometry. Recently another paper on mechanical cervicometers was published by Letic [49], and there are two companies looking at new ultrasound-based cervicometry. One group has presented its concept but not presented or published any data on the device; other publications [50,51] and presentations of data [52][53][54] on modern cervicometry stress the benefits of these instruments in continuous monitoring of cervical dilatation and foetal head station during labour, as part of a new outlook on labour monitoring.…”