Signs of Pregnancy

Question 1

Presumptive Signs

Answer 1

(Least sure, what mom notices)

Period absent (amenorrhea)
Really tired
Enlarged breasts
Sore breasts
Urination frequency
Movement perceived (quickening) [only occurs 16 - 20 wks of gestation]
Emesis + nausea

Question 2

Probable Signs

Answer 2

(Not 100% sure, what HCP notices)

Positive pregnancy test
Return of fetus when tapped
Outline of fetus palpable
Braxton hicks contractions
A softening of the cervix (Goodell’s sign) [@ 4 wks of gestation
Bluish color of cervix (Chadwick’s sign) [6 - 8 wks of gestation]
Lower uterine segment softens (Hegar’s sign) [6 - 8 wks of gestation]
Enlarged uterus

Pigmentation changes of skin:
Linea nigra
Abdomen striae (stretch marks)
Facial chloasma (mask of pregnancy)
Darkening of areola

Question 3

Positive Signs

Answer 3

(100% sure of pregnancy)

Fetal movement felt by HCP
Electronic device detects <3 sounds
The delivery of fetus
Ultrasound detects fetus
See movement of fetus by HCP

Question 4

Signs of Labor

Answer 4

Prelabor rupture of membranes [PROM] - amniotic fluid expelled from vagina (sudden gush of fluid)

PROM increases risk of:
- Infection in the woman (intra-amniotic infection [chorioamnionitis]), neonate (sepsis), or both
- Abruptio placentae
- Abnormal fetal presentation
- Intraventricular hemorrhage in neonates (which may result in neurodevelopmental disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy))
- Compression of the fetal umbilical cord