SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

A. PRESUMPTIVE SIGNS
1. Amenorrhea
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Urinary frequency
4. Fatigue
5. Breast changes
6. Skin changes
7. Quickening
8. Leucorrhea
9. Weight increase
B. PROBABLE SIGNS
1. Abdominal enlargement
2. Goodell’s sign
3. Hegar’s sign
4. Chadwick’s sign
5. Braxton-Hicks contraction
6. Ballottement
7. Positive pregnancy test
8. Radioimmunoassay
C. POSITIVE SIGNS
1. FHT
2. Fetal outline (ultrasound)
3. Fetal parts (examiner’s palpation)
4. Fetal skeleton (X-ray; not before 16 weeks)

COMMON DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY AND RELIEF MEASURES

Discomfort Relief Measures

Morning sickness  Eat dry crackers (Carbohydrates) or toast in the morning 30 minutes
before getting up.
 Drink adequate fluids between meals.
 Avoid high spicy, fatty foods.
 Eat small frequent meals; avoid overeating.
 Avoid fatty, highly seasoned foods.
Heartburn  Bend at the knees and NOT at the waist when taking things from the
floor.
 Remain upright 3 to 4 hours after eating.
 Avoid taking sodium bicarbonate.
 Take aluminum-bearing antacid (Amphogel) as ordered.
Flatulence  Eat small frequent meals.
 Avoid gas-forming foods
Frequency of  Increase fluids to replace loses except at bed time to prevent
urination nocturia.
 Practice regular voiding.
 Practice frequent flushing ‘front to back’.
 Report any burning sensation, dysuria, cloudy urine, or tea-colored
urine.
Fatigue  Have adequate rest and sleep (8 hrs. average night sleep).
 Avoid prolonged standing.
 Practice good body mechanics (posture).
 Report increasing fatigue with regular activities- a danger sign of
heart disease.
Constipation  Increase fluid intake (6 to 8 glasses of water per day).
 Increase roughage in the diet (daily fruits and vegetables).
 Regular exercise (best is walking) is recommended.
 Observe daily /regular bowel movement.
 Drink water in the morning.
Hemorrhoids  Avoid constipation and other forms of straining.
 Promote comfort: sitz bath, warm compresses.
 Reinsert hemorrhoids, upon physician’s recommendation.
Faintness/supine  Avoid sudden changes in position.
hypotensive  Avoid supine position in 2nd to 3rd trimesters.
syndrome/ vena caval  Arise from a bed from a lateral position and gradually.
syndrome  Avoid staying in one position for a long time.
 Assume frequent left lateral positions in bed.
Leg cramps  Include adequate calcium in the diet; calcium-phosphorus imbalance
is the recognized most important cause of leg cramps.
 Avoid prolonged standing and sitting.
 Dorsiflex the foot while extending the leg; this hyperextends the
involved muscle causing relief.
Varicose veins  No round garters around the abdominal and legs; avoid kee-high
stockings.
 Wear supportive panty hose.
 Frequent elevation of legs and hips is advised.
Backache  Maintain good posture.
 Wear flat shoes.
 Avoid prolonged standing.
 Pelvic rock exercise and tailor sitting are advised.
 Use supportive mattress.
 Wear maternity girdle in selected situations as recommended.
Pedal edema  Assume left-lateral position/elevation of legs frequently to promote
venous return.
 Avoid prolonged standing.
 No round/constricting garters.
 Report swelling of hands and face.
Shortness of breath  Maintain good posture.
 Avoid fatigue.
 Elevate head by several pillows in sleep, avoid supine position.
 Avoid constricting bra and other right clothes.
 Report increasing dyspnea with minimal activity or dyspnea prior to
36 weeks (with normal pressure on the diaphragm).