Diagnosis of Pregnancy

Diagnosis of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is mainly diagnosed on the symptoms reported by the woman and signs elicited by a health care provider.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy

These signs and symptoms are divided in to three classifications; presumptive, probable, and positive.

Possible (presumptive) signs

·        Early breast changes-increase in size, darkening of areola, Montgomery’s tubercles

·        Amenorrhea-a women having regular cycle with out the use of hormonal contraceptives

·        Morning sickness

·        Bladder irritability like frequency of micturation

·        Quickening -the date of the first fetal movement felt by the mother provides an indicator of pregnancy. A primigravid women feels it at 18-20 weeks the multi gravida at 14-16 weeks

Probable signs

Presence of HCG in

·        blood

·        urine

Uterine growth

Braxtonhicks contractions

Ballottement

Positive signs

Visualization of fetus by

·        Ultrasound 6 weeksof gestation

·        X-ray after 12 weeks of gestation

Fetal heart sounds by

Ultrasound

Fetal stethoscope or fetoscope (20^th to 24^th weeks of gestation)

Fetal movements by

·        Palpation

·        Visible