MATERNAL AND CHILD

Bluish or purplish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva due to increased vascularity

Chadwick’s sign

Are changes felt or experienced by the patient. The least reliable indicators for pregnancy

Presumptive signs (subjective)

Examples:

- amenorrhea

- nausea and vomiting

- fatigue

- breast changes

- urinary frequency

- quickening (first subjective perception of fetal movement)

These are physical changes observed by a healthcare provider or indicated by standard lab tests.

Probable signs (objective; observed by the examiner)

Examples:

- positive pregnancy (detection of human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG)

- goodell’s sign (softening of cervical tip)

- chadwick’s sign (bluish or purple discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva due to increases vascularity)

- hegar’s sign (Softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment)

- ballottement (The rebounding of the fetus against the examiner's fingers during a vaginal exam

- Braxton Hicks Contractions (Painless, irregular contractions felt throughout pregnancy)

- Uterine Enlargement & Abdominal Striae (Physical growth of the uterus and stretch marks)

These are unmistakable confirmation of a growing fetus. They can only be attributed to the presence of a living fetus.

Positve signs (definitive)

Examples:

- Fetal Heart Tones (FHT): Hearing the fetal heartbeat via Doppler (around 10–12 weeks) or fetoscope (around 18–20 weeks).

- Visualization of the Fetus: Identifying the fetus or gestational sac via ultrasound.

- Fetal Movement Felt by Examiner: Palpable active fetal movement detected directly by an experienced clinician.

The first subjective perception of fetal movement

Quickening

Softening of the cervical tip

Goodell’s sign

Softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment

Hegar’s sign

The rebounding of the fetus against the examiner's fingers during a vaginal exam

Ballottement

Painless, irregular contractions felt throughout pregnancy

Braxton hicks contractions

Fetal portion of the placenta

Chorion frondosum