Introduction, Signs and Symptoms of Diagnosis of Pregnancy

Subject: Midwifery I (Theory)

Overview

A woman's reproductive period begins with menarche and concludes with menopause. It normally lasts between 13 and 45 years. Pregnancy duration: Based on menstruation history, the typical pregnancy duration has historically been calculated in terms of 10 lunar months or 9 calendar months and 78 days or 280 days or 40 weeks. This is known as menstrual or gestational age. The signs and symptoms of pregnancy are classified into three stages: presumptive, probable, and positive. Early breast changes, amenorrhea, morning sickness, bladder irritation, and quickening are all presumptive signs. Probable symptoms include the presence of HCG in urine and blood, Hegar's sign, Jacquemier's sign, Osiander's sign, Braxton hicks contraction, and uterine ballottement. Lastly Positive include: visualization of a fetus, by USG, X-ray,Fetal movement is visible and palpable and also Fetal parts palpable.

Diagnosis of Pregnancy

A woman's reproductive period begins with menarche and concludes with menopause. It normally lasts between 13 and 45 years.

Pregnancy duration: Based on menstruation history, the typical pregnancy duration has historically been calculated in terms of 10 lunar months or 9 calendar months and 78 days or 280 days or 40 weeks. This is known as menstrual or gestational age.

Fertilization, on the other hand, occurs 14 days before the expected missed period. As a result, the approximate pregnancy duration is (280-14) days, or 266 days. Embryologists refer to this as fertilization or ovulatory age.

Signs and Symptoms

Sign

Time of occurrence

Differential diagnosis

A. Presumptive

· Early breast changes

· Amenorrhea

· Morning sickness

· Bladder irritability

· Quickening

 

3-4 weeks

4+ weeks

4-14 weeks

6-12 weeks

16-20 weeks

 

Contraceptive pills

Hormonal, stress

Gi disorders, illness

UTI, pelvic tumor

Intestinal movement

B. Probable signs

· Presence of HCG in urine and blood

· Hegar’s sign

· Jacquemier’s sign

· Osiander’s sign

· Braxton hicks contraction

· Ballottement of uterus

 

4-12 weeks

 

6-12 weeks

8 weeks

8 weeks

16 weeks

 

16-28 weeks

 

Hydatidiform mole

 

Chariocarcinoma

Pelvic congestion

Pelvic congestion

Pelvic congestion

 

Pelvic congestion

 

C. Positive signs:

· Visualization of fetus, by USG, X-ray

· FHS by USG

Fetal stethoscope

· Fetal movement:

Palpable

Visible

 

· Fetal parts palpable

 

6 weeks

16-28 weeks

6 weeks

20 weeks

 

22 weeks

Late pregnancy

24 weeks

 

 

 

No alternative diagnosis

This details about all signs are given on the following page according to their presence in respective period.

REFERENCE

BabyMed. 2001. 2017. http://www.babymed.com/tag/early-pregnancy-diagnosis#

GFMER. 22 September 2016 http://www.gfmer.ch/Obstetrics_simplified/Diagnosis_of_pregnancy.htm

Medscape. 1994. 2017 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/262591-overview#a3

Midwifery manual for a certificate level nursing student, 2000, 2nd edition. HLMC, TUIOM, P.O. Box2533

Tuitui R. 2002, A textbook of Midwifery A (Antenatal), 3rd edition, Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandari (Publisher and Distributor), Bhotahity, Kathmandu

Tuitui R. 2002, A textbook of Midwifery B (Intranatal), 3rd edition, Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandari (Publisher and Distributor), Bhotahity, Kathmandu

WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, 2003. Pregnancy, childbirth, Postpartum and Newborn care (PCPNC): A guide for essential practice, “IMPAC” World bank.

 

 

 
Things to remember
  • A woman's reproductive period begins with menarche and concludes with menopause. It normally lasts between 13 and 45 years.
  • Pregnancy duration: Based on menstruation history, the typical pregnancy duration has historically been calculated in terms of 10 lunar months or 9 calendar months and 78 days or 280 days or 40 weeks. This is known as menstrual or gestational age.
  • The signs and symptoms of pregnancy are classified into three stages: presumptive, probable, and positive.
  • Early breast changes, amenorrhea, morning sickness, bladder irritation, and quickening are all presumptive signs.
  • HCG in urine and blood, Hegar's sign, Jacquemier's sign, Osiander's sign, Braxton hicks contraction, and uterine ballottement are all possible symptoms.
  • Positive indicators include: visibility of a fetus via USG or X-ray, visible and palpable fetal movement, and palpable fetal components.
Videos for Introduction, Signs and Symptoms of Diagnosis of Pregnancy
The Three Stages of Pregnancy 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Trimester
Questions and Answers

Signs and symptoms

Sign

Time of occurrence

Differential diagnosis

Presumptive:

Early breast changes

Amenorrhea

Morning sickness

Bladder irritability

Quickening

 

3-4 weeks

4+ weeks

4-14 weeks

6-12 weeks

16-20 weeks

 

Contraceptive pills

Hormonal, stress

Gi disorders, illness

UTI, pelvic tumor

Intestinal movement

Probable signs:

Presence of HCG in urine and blood

Hegar’s sign

Jacquemier’s sign

Osiander’s sign

Braxton hicks contraction

Ballottement of uterus

 

4-12 weeks

6-12 weeks

8 weeks

8 weeks

16 weeks

16-28 weeks

 

 

Hydatidiform mole

Chariocarcinoma

Pelvic congestion

Pelvic congestion

Pelvic congestion

Pelvic congestion

 

Positive signs:

Visualization of fetus, by USG, X-ray

FHS by USG

Fetal stethoscope

Fetal movement:

Palpable

Visible

Fetal parts palpable

 

6 weeks

16-28 weeks

6 weeks

20 weeks

22 weeks

Late pregnancy

24 weeks

 

 

 

No alternative diagnosis

The following page provides information on each sign in accordance with when it appeared within the relevant time period.

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