Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing - The Carter Center

- Vaginal bleeding
- Reduced fetal movements
- Frontal or recurring headaches
- Sudden swelling
- Rupture of the membrane
- Premature onset of contractions
- Maternal anxiety for whatever reason
3.8 Diagnosis of Pregnancy
Pregnancy is mainly diagnosed on the symptoms reported by
the woman and signs elicited by a health care provider.
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy
These signs and symptoms are divided in to three
classifications; presumptive, probable, and positive.
Possible (presumptive) signs
• Early breast changes-increase in size, darkening of
areola, Montgomery’s tubercles
• Amenorrhea-a women having regular cycle with out the
use of hormonal contraceptives
• Morning sickness
• Bladder irritability like frequency of micturation
• Quickening -the date of the first fetal movement felt by the
mother provides an indicator of pregnancy. A primigravid
60