What is a common outcome of an increase in uterine contractility?

• A. Reduced risk of PTB
• B. Increased risk of cervical incompetence
• C. Increased likelihood of spontaneous preterm birth
• D. Lower incidence of placental abruption

Answer: (C)

An increase in uterine contractility is associated with an increased likelihood of spontaneous preterm birth. This is because stronger and more frequent contractions can lead to changes in the cervical tissue, promoting cervical dilation and effacement before term. As the uterus contracts, it exerts pressure on the cervix, which can trigger the preterm labor process.

In contrast, reduced uterine contractility would generally result in a lower risk of preterm birth, as there would be less mechanical stress on the cervix. Cervical incompetence, which is a condition where the cervix is unable to support a pregnancy due to structural weakness, is not directly caused by increased contractility but rather by other factors such as prior trauma or congenital anomalies. Similarly, while an increase in contractions usually elevates the risk of preterm birth, it does not contribute to a lower incidence of placental abruption, which is often related to other obstetric factors and not necessarily linked to uterine contractility alone.