Probable Signs Of Pregnancy
PROBABLE SIGNS OF PREGNANCY – These pregnancy symptoms are
signs noted by the physician upon examination. These signs may include
uterine changes, cervical changes, abdominal changes, positive pregnancy
test done by a physician, fetal palpation and basal body temperature.
- Uterine Changes – If pregnant, your uterine undergoes changes in
size, position and form. The changes in your uterine can be checked
through several techniques, such as:
- Size – The doctor will check if your uterine increases in
size. Normally, the width and length of the uterus increases
five times its normal size. The uterus would also weigh up to
1,000 grams, instead of its normal weight of 50 grams.
- The Hegar’s sign – By the 6th to 8th week of pregnancy, a
physician will look for the Hegar’s sign by manually checking
the lower uterine by finger to determine if the vaginal and
abdominal walls feel tissue-paper thin.
- Position – If you are indeed pregnant, your uterus will rise
above the symphysis pubis by the 12th week of pregnancy and
reach the xiphoid process by the 36th week.
- Ballottement – During your physical exam between the 16th
and 20th week, your examiner will check for ballottement by
tapping your cervix to check if the fetus would float upward and
sink back. However, this is not considered diagnostic because a
presence of ovarian cyst or ascites may be the reason for
ballottement.
- Cervical Changes – Changes to your cervix can be seen
through the formation of a mucous plug, Goodell’s sign and
Braxton-Hick’s contractions.
- Mucous Plug Formation – Since hormones increase
during pregnancy, hyperplasia of the cervical gland
occurs and leads to the formation of a mucous plug. This
plug serves as a seal to your cervix, protecting the
uterus from bacteria that may enter the vagina. By the
onset of labor or at the end of pregnancy, this mucous
will be expelled.
- Goodell’s Sign – Your cervix, which is normally
firm, becomes soft when pregnant. This softening of the
cervix is called the Goodell’s sign, which is present at
the 6th week of pregnancy
- Braxton-Hick’s Contractions – From the 12th week of
pregnancy, a pregnant woman will experience a painless
contraction of the uterine called Braxton-Hick’s
contractions. However, unlike true labor, this type of
contraction occurs from week 12 onwards, can be stopped
with walking and does not cause cervix dilation.
- Abdominal Changes – As your uterus grows, the
abdomen gets larger as well. If there are no changes
to your uterus, this abdominal enlargement may be
caused by edema, ovarian cysts or uterine tumors and
is not considered a sign of pregnancy.
- Positive Pregnancy Test – Although a pregnancy
test by a physician is more accurate than a home
pregnancy test kit, the results of the test may
still be misread if it is done too early or too late
into the pregnancy.
- Fetal Palpation – During the early weeks of
pregnancy, a physician can palpate your abdomen and
identify the parts of the fetus. However, this
technique is not always accurate.
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) – Unlike other
probably signs of pregnancy, BBT is 97% accurate,
particularly if a persistent increase in temperature
is seen within a span of three weeks.
|
