[The Cerviport--a device for the continuous measurement of the dilatation of the ostium uteri during labor].

In the past few years obstetrics has experienced substantial improvements due to the apparatus supervision of the fetus. What remained an unsolved problem was the continuous measuring of the dilatation of the cervix in labor, although various methods have been developed. The forceps given by Richardson et al. 1978 have been further developed by us. These cervical forceps are attached to the cervix at 3 and 9 o'clock. The patulousness of the cervix corresponds to the angular aperture of the forceps and is directly converted into an electric signal by means of a dilatation-measuring strip attached to the branches of the forceps and said signal is continuously recorded by a compensation writer which is synchronized with the cardiotocograph. 110 women between the 34th and the 41st week of pregnancy were examined. In the course of the measurements carried out, the application of the cervical forceps became easier for the obstetrician, because he acquired more and more routine in applying such forceps. The indication for cervical measuring includes delayed labor, premature rupture of the fetal membranes, the fetus letalis ante partum as well as the attempt of a spontaneous partus after a Caesarean section in combination with measuring the intrauterine pressure. Because no increased danger of infection was observed, cervical measuring is considered to be an enrichment in the field of obstetrics. The inconveniences caused to the patient by applying the cervical forceps are by far made good for by the absence of manual examinations. Hence, one can assume that cervical measuring in the case of risk patients during pregnancy constitutes a useful additional measure.