Monday, October 5, 2009

Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

There are three classifications of Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy.

1. Presumptive Signs
These are the signs and symptoms felt by the mother only, and are the least indicative of pregnancy because these could indicate other health conditions.

The following are the presumptive signs:
  • amenorrhea - absence of menstrual period
  • breast changes - feeling of tenderness and darkening of the areola
  • frequent urination - sense of a need to void frequently because of the pressure to the uterus
  • morning sickness - nausea and vomiting especially every morning
  • fatigue
  • enlargement of the uterus - the uterus can be palpated
  • quickening - movement of the fetus is felt
  • linea nigra - dark pigmentation in the midline of abdomen
  • chloasma - the mask of pregnancy, facial discoloration
  • striae gravidarum - marks on the abdomen
2. Probable Signs
These are the signs that are noted by the examiner. These are more reliable than the presumptive signs but not conclusive about pregnancy.

The following are the probable signs:
  • Chadwick's sign - change of vaginal color from from pink to violet
  • Goodell's sign - softening of the cervix, cervix is normally firm.
  • Hegar's sign -softening of the lower uterine segment
  • Ballottement - the fetus can be felt by the examiner when the abdomen is tapped on a bimanual exam
  • Braxton hicks contraction - painless uterine contractions occurring periodically
  • Fetal palpation - fetal outline can be palpated by the examiner
3. Positive signs
These are the signs that confirm pregnancy.

The following are the probable signs:
  • audible fetal heart - fetal heart is audible using Doppler ultrasound
  • visualization of fetus by ultrasound
  • fetal movements felt by the examiner

It is always important to have prenatal check-ups to monitor the health condition of the baby inside your tummy. Visit your health care provider as advised to keep your baby healthy.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Pregnacy Channel - What is this all about?

Hello readers,

Welcome to Pregnancy Channel!

Pregnancy Channel is intended to supply information about pregnancy. We will be tackling as many topic as possible about the process and development of pregnancy, the do's and don'ts during pregnancy, its diseases and treatments, and so forth. I will also be including family planning methods and postpartal conditions as well.


Let us have a small preview about pregnancy.

Pregnancy is defined as the carrying of a fetus inside the uterus of a female. It averages 9 months or 40 weeks from the first day of the last normal menstrual period. The duration is divided into three; the first trimester (1-3 months), second trimester (4-6 months), and third trimester (6-9 months).

Will I be able to know when the baby will be delivered?

Yes. The estimated date of delivery of the baby can be determined using the Naegele's rule. Don't worry it's as easy as one-two-three!
Here's how:
  • Add seven days to the date of the first day of the last menstrual cycle.
Say, your last menstrual period (LMP) began on October 2, 2009.

10/2/09
+ 7 days
answer: 10/9/09 or October 9, 2009
  • Then subtract three months
10/9/09
- 3 months
answer: 7/9/09 or July 9, 2009
  • And then finally, add 1 year. The answer would be July 9, 2010

Very easy isn't it? It took only seconds or a minute to compute! :) But remember that Naegele's Rule is not absolute. The delivery of the baby cannot be determined precisely, they are just assumed, or estimated. Additionally, Naegele's Rule is applicable to women who have normal menstrual cycle only.


I can feel that I am pregnant! How do I know if I am positive?
That's exactly what we are discussing on my next post, so please stay tuned! :-)