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Fothergill's sign
System: Pregnancy & Women's Health Signs · All pregnancy & women's health signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
A painful abdominal wall swelling that stays palpable when the patient tenses the abdominal muscles, and does not cross the midline — pointing to blood inside the rectus sheath rather than inside the abdomen.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with rectus sheath haematoma, often after coughing, straining or anticoagulant treatment.
◈ Behind the name
William Edward Fothergill (1865–1926), British gynaecologist.
Related signs — Pregnancy & Women's Health Signs
Browse the F section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.
Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.