Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

 Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy 

During pregnancy a woman’s body adapt to the presence of the new life in it by undergoing a number of physical changes. These changes are referred to as signs and symptoms of pregnancy and are classified in three groups: Presumptive probable and positive signs (3Ps).

 

Presumptive signs: ‘Possible”: are those that suggest butdo not positively indicate pregnancy.

 

·              Amenorrhea – 4 weeks

 

·              Early morning sickness – 4 – 14 wks

 

·              Bladder Irritation – At about 6- 12 weeks the uteru s presses on bladder especially when standing leading to frequency in micturation.

 

·              Skin changes: Due to hormonal changes melanocyte stimulating hormone leading to hyper-pigmentation, scars are darker, chloasma, Striae gravidarum and Linea Nigra are present.

 

·              Breast changes: starts about the 4th week there is tenderness and fullness of the breast , increase vascularity and increase dilatation of breast and chest veins.

 

·              It becomes nodular 6-8week as a result of proliferation of peripheral lobules of the breast. There is enlargement, formation of areola by the 12th week, it becomes darker & wider. Nipples become prominent, clear fluid from the breast (Cholostrum), Montgomery tubercles, Secondary areola formation

 

·              Abdominal changes: Fullness and enlargement of the abdomen

 

·              Quickening : 16 – 20wks.

 

·              Tiredness

 

Probable signs: are strong indicators of pregnancy but theydo not in themselves confirm the condition.

 

·              On Vaginal Examination; Vulva: Darker in color

Vagina: Purplish due to increased vascularity (Jacquemiers 8th sign) and soft. Increased pulsation at the lateral vaginal fornices (Osiander’s sign)- 8 th weeks

 

Cervix:soft, purplish, increased cervical secretion – Leuchonhoea and increased mucus – operculum.

 

Utreus: Braxton Hicks contraction, uterine soufflé8 – 10 weeks, globular 10th than pear, Heger’s signs 6 -12 weeks, Isthmus becomes soft, uterus enlarges 8th week, abdomen Enlarges 10th week internal ballottement 16 – 28 weeks

 

·              Biological Test: is done to detect the presence of Human Chrionic Gonadotrophic Hormone (HCGTH). This has been replaced with the use of ultrasound.

 

Positive signs: These are definite indications of the presenceof fetus. They must be present to confirm a diagnosis of pregnancy. These include the fetal heartbeat, palpation of fetal movement, or ultrasonic evidence of a fetus.

At about 20 weeks

 

·              Seeing fetal movements seen or felt by the person examining

 

·              Palpating of fetal parts

 

·              Hearing fetal heart beats/sound 20weeks Ultrasound 16wks.

 

·              Investigation –Plain Abdominal X-ray from 16 th week.

 

·              Ultrasound scanning: ultrasonogram – reveals gestational sac. As early as 4 weeks

 

Sonicaid or Doptone – 12 weeks or even earlier