title: Goodell's sign
text: # Goodell's sign
  
  In medicine, Goodell's sign is an indication of pregnancy. It is a significant softening of the vaginal portion of the cervix from increased vascularization. This vascularization is a result of hypertrophy and engorgement of the vessels below the growing uterus. This sign occurs at approximately six weeks' gestation.
  
  The sign is named after William Goodell (1829–1874).
  
  