DIAGNOSIS OF PREGNANCY
Dr. K. Bharathi
Professor
P.G. Dept. of Prasutitantra and Striroga
Sadhyo grihita garbha lakshana
Vyaktagarbha Garbhini Linga
The importance of the problem
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of pregnancy
The duration of pregnancy in humans
During the first half – maternal signs
prezumptive diagnosis
During the second half – fetal signs
diagnosis of certitude
History
increased E2 and P secretion by luteal corpus
Conditions
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks
(I-st trimester)
Digestive
Urinary bladder irritability (compresion)
Nervous sleep difficulties, irritability, insomnia
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks
(I-st trimester)
History
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks (I-st trimester)
Clinical signs
Inspection
- increase in size
- venous network (Haller)
- Montgomery tubercules (sebaceus glands)
- minute hyper-pigmentation of the areola and the nipple
- linea nigra
- progressive deformation upward symfizis pubis (after 12 weeks)
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks �(I-st trimester)
Clinical signs
Palpation
- specific consistency
- colostrum (occasionally) – thick, yellowish fluid, expressed from the nipples
- pregnant uterus – the upper margin of a globulous, soft mass
- the height of the uterine fundus becomes measurable (cm)
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks �(I-st trimester)
Clinical signs
Obstetrical examination
Cervix, vagina and perineum (speculum examination)
- increased vascularity and hyperemia
- characteristic violet-bluish color of the mucosa – Chadwick sign
- increased size of the cervix
Uterus (bimanual examination)
- softening of the cervix, isthmus (Hegar sign) and uterine corpus
- enlargement of the uterus (4cm per month)
- irregular, painless uterine contractions – Braxton-Hicks contractions
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks (I-st trimester)
Noble sign
Hegar sign
Piscaceck sign
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks �(I-st trimester)
Differential diagnosis
- abdominal mass: ovarian cyst, uterine myoma, trophoblastic disease, ectopic pregnancy, bladder globus
- amenorrhea: in the emotional stress, endocrine disfunctions, lactation, anorexia, certain treatments (e.g. antidepressants, metyldopa, haloperidol), pseudocyesis
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks �(I-st trimester)
Laboratory diagnosis
Principle: presence of hCG in plasma and urine
- produced by syncytiotrophoblast
- peak at 60-70 days
- biological tests (laboratory animals)
- immunological tests – β-hCG (monoclonal anti-HCG antibody serum assays); home test kit (ELISA, RIA, etc)
- detection and quantification
hCG in plasma and urine
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 16 weeks �(I-st trimester)
Ultrasound imaging
- abdominal sonography
- vaginal sonography can detect an uterine pregnancy 1 week after the missed menstruation
AIMS
- assessment of the amnionic sac dimensions (4-5 weeks)
- visualize the fetus and the placenta (position, aspect)
- measure fetal crown-rump length (FCR)
- detects twins, ectopic pregnancy, missed abortion, hydatidiform mole.
Diagnosis of pregnancy in the first 4-5 weeks (I-st trimester)
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 17- 28 weeks �(II-nd trimester)
Clinical signs
- amenorrhea (> 16 weeks)
- progressive enlargement of the abdomen
- perception of the fetal movements by the mother beginning with 17-18 weeks (multiparas) up to 19-20 weeks (primiparas) = quickening
Inspection
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 17- 28 weeks �(II-nd trimester)
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 17- 28 weeks �(II-nd trimester)
Clinical signs
Palpation
- pregnant uterus – a globulous, soft, contractile, painless mass
- irregular, painless uterine contractions – Braxton-Hicks contractions
- the height of the uterine fundus becomes measurable (16cm – 20 weeks, 20cm – 24 weeks)
- ballottement sign
Ascultation
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 17- 28 weeks �(II-nd trimester)
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 17- 28 weeks �(II-nd trimester)
Clinical signs
Obstetrical examination – cont.
Speculum examination (cervix, vagina and perineum)
- hyperemia
- Chadwick sign (violet-bluish color of the mucosa)
- increased size of the cervix
Bimanual examination (uterus)
- softening of the vagina, cervix, lower segment and upper segment
- enlargement of the uterus
- Braxton-Hicks contractions
- vaginal ballottement
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 17- 28 weeks �(II-nd trimester)
Differential diagnosis
abdominal mass
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 17- 28 weeks �(II-nd trimester)
Laboratory diagnosis
- biological tests – no more
- immunological tests – β-hCG (detection and quantification)
Ultrasound imaging
abdominal sonography / vaginal sonography
AIMS
- gestational age (BPD, FL, AC)
- fetal morphology and biometry
- multiple pregnancy
- fetal heart movements
- placental insertion, a.f.
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks �(III-rd trimester)
Clinical signs
- amenorrhea (> 29 weeks)
- progressive enlargement of the abdomen
- perception of the fetal movements by the mother/examinator
Inspection
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks �(III-rd trimester)
Clinical signs
Palpation
Superficial palpation
- pregnant uterus (a globulous, soft, contractile, painless mass, Braxton-Hicks contractions
- measurement of the height of the uterine fundus
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks �(III-rd trimester)
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks �(III-rd trimester)
Clinical signs
Deep palpation
- identification of the presenting part (if the head, it is firm, rounded, large, regulated)
- lateral palpation – on the sides of the uterus (the back is an elongated firm mass; the limbs are small, irregular parts)
Ascultation
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks (III-rd trimester)
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks �(III-rd trimester)
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks �(III-rd trimester)
Clinical signs
Obstetrical examination
Speculum examination (cervix, vagina and perineum)
- hyperemia
- Chadwick sign (violet-bluish color of the mucosa)
- increased size of the cervix
- external cervical os - slit-like or round, with mucous plug
Bimanual examination
- softening of the vagina, cervix, lower segment and upper segment (patulous cervix admits a fingertip)
- fetal presenting part, membranes
Diagnosis of pregnancy between the 29 - 40 weeks (III-rd trimester)
Ultrasound imaging
abdominal sonography / vaginal sonography
AIMS
- fetal morphology and biometry (BPD, Fl, AC)
- fetal heart movements,
- breathing movements
- evaluation of the amniotic fluid
- placental insertion and maturation degree
Presumptive evidence of pregnancy
- nausea +/- vomiting
- disturbances in urination
- fatigue
- the perceptions of fetal movements
- cessation of menses
- changes in the breast
- changes in the cervical mucus
- discoloration of the vaginal mucosa
- increased skin pigmentation and development of abdominal striae
- does the woman believe that she is pregnant?
Probable evidence of pregnancy
Positive signs of pregnancy
Gestational age assessment