Signs of pregnancy
Enlarged uterus. The uterus noticeably increases in size starting from 5-6 weeks. At the end of the second month, it is the size of a goose egg.
Horwitz-Hegar sign. A sign of the uterus in position is its soft consistency, this is especially pronounced in the isthmus area. During examination, the fingers meet at the level of the isthmus without any resistance. This sign characterizes the initial stages of pregnancy.
Snegirev's sign. The uterus with a fertilized egg can change its consistency. If the softened uterus is mechanically impacted during two-handed examination, it becomes more dense and contracts, decreasing in size. After the cessation of exposure, it returns to its original consistency.
Piskacek's sign. The initial stages of pregnancy are characterized by asymmetry of the uterus, as a result of a dome-shaped protrusion of one of the corners. This happens at 7-8 weeks of age. It is at the site of the protrusion that the egg is implanted. By week 10, the protrusion disappears.
Gaus and Gubarev observed barely noticeable mobility in the early stages of the cervix. This is mainly due to the softening of the isthmus.
Genter's sign. At the beginning of pregnancy, the uterus bends forward, which is the result of increased softening of the isthmus, and the appearance of a protrusion in the form of a comb-like thickening on the anterior part of the uterus in the midline area. This protrusion is not always determined.
The diagnosis of pregnancy is mainly determined by clinical examination. But in some cases, laboratory methods are used. The essence of laboratory research is to determine substances specific to the body of a pregnant woman in biological fluids.
Is it possible to identify an interesting position in the early stages?
It is clear that women are usually interested in whether a gynecologist can determine pregnancy in the early stages.
The situation varies. A very experienced doctor can diagnose it by changes in the color of the vaginal mucosa. In addition, in pregnant women, the uterus contracts when palpated. Even in the early stages it is already greatly increased in size. So, whether a gynecologist sees an early pregnancy will directly depend on his professionalism and work experience.
If you are wondering how a gynecologist determines pregnancy in the early stages, then for the most part he does this based on the general condition of the body, and ultrasound and tests confirm or refute his diagnosis.
The first visit to a female doctor in an interesting situation is in many ways purely formal, especially if the gynecological signs of pregnancy are already obvious. However, it is in the initial stages that various abnormalities and inflammatory processes can be diagnosed, which may be completely invisible. The sooner health problems are identified, the better, of course.
Signs of pregnancy are detected by the following methods:
- Examination using mirrors;
- Examination of the vaginal opening and external genitalia;
- Survey;
- Squeezing out colostrum and palpating the mammary glands;
- Examination of a woman (two-manual vaginal-abdominal or vaginal).
With the onset of pregnancy, the size of the uterus gradually increases. Metamorphoses also occur with the shape of the uterus. In a non-pregnant woman, it is pear-shaped, and the shape of the uterus with the fertilized egg undergoes the following changes:
- 5-6 weeks - spherical shape;
- 7-8 weeks - asymmetrical with protrusion of one of the corners;
- 10 week - spherical;
- The end of pregnancy is the ovoid form.
How is pregnancy determined during an ultrasound examination by a doctor?
The most accurate way to detect pregnancy is an ultrasound examination. Radiation is absolutely safe for both mother and baby - the following weeks of gestation, this method will allow you to assess the development of the fetus and its location.
You can see a pregnancy on an ultrasound from the fifth week (with the proper qualifications of the doctor); this study is usually prescribed at 7-10 weeks, when it is already possible to determine the number of future children.
The study is carried out with a special ultrasonic sensor, which allows you to examine the fetus as closely as possible and determine its size.
Classification of modern methods for diagnosing pregnancy:
- Biological;
- Immunological;
- Echographic (ultrasound diagnostics).
Immunological, as well as biological methods, consist of determining choriogonadotropin (CG). Any biological material is suitable for this, but most often urine. The synthesis of this hormone begins in the first days of conception and lasts until childbirth with maximum production on the 60-70th day after implantation. Afterwards, its level drops somewhat and stabilizes until childbirth.
Among the immunological methods used today, the most widely known is the method based on suppression of the hemagglutination reaction. The method consists of adding antiserum (antibodies) to the ampoule, red blood cells (antigen) with hCG and urine of the pregnant woman. The hCG present in the urine binds to the antigen (antiserum), and the red blood cells settle to the bottom, as they do not undergo agglutination.
If the urine of a non-pregnant woman is administered, that is, without hCG, an agglutination reaction takes place and the red blood cells are evenly distributed throughout the ampoule. Add 0.4 ml of phosphate buffer and two drops of morning urine, previously filtered, to the ampoule.
All components are mixed and left for 2 hours at room temperature. After the allotted time, based on the uniform distribution of red blood cells, a conclusion is made about the absence of pregnancy, and from the sediment at the bottom of the ampoule - about its presence.
The radioimmunoassay method is much more sensitive. The most common method has become the so-called double bodies. For the method, ready-made kits produced by various companies are used. The method allows you to determine hCG already 5-7 days after implantation. Determination occurs in 1.5-2.5 minutes.
Today there are also many test systems that allow the woman herself to quickly determine pregnancy at home.
Reviews from pregnant women
Maria: “My husband and I tried to conceive a child during ovulation, which was exactly that day according to my calculations. A little time passed and I felt nauseous, my stomach began to ache and my appetite woke up, my periods came on time, but were quite scanty. I went to the doctor who told me I was pregnant. But I still feel nauseous and my lower back hurts. At what minimum period can a doctor determine pregnancy? And could she not see the pregnancy?
Lilia: “I’m 8 months pregnant now. The doctor was unable to see the pregnancy when she was 6-8 weeks old. I went to the hospital and had an ultrasound only after I lost consciousness. It was the ultrasound that confirmed my pregnancy. The surprising thing is that the tests still show negative results. Who would have thought.
As for menstruation, already during pregnancy they lasted for several days. As I found out later, this removed everything unnecessary from the body. Don't rush, just wait a little, everything will be fine! At the time I visited the doctor, I was 3 weeks and 3 days pregnant. Many people say that the doctor can determine at least 4-5 weeks.
Olga: “Please tell me! I had a delay of 8 days, I took tests several times, but each time they showed a negative result. Just yesterday, a week later, my period came. Do you think such a delay in menstruation may indicate pregnancy or not? And please tell me how you get your periods during pregnancy, usually or in smaller quantities?
Anastasia: Now there are very good and accurate tests. True, I don’t know how things stand with this in Russia. But with their help, we can determine pregnancy even before the expected period. I determined my pregnancy using a test a week before my period was due.
Tatyana: “Yes, undoubtedly this is a very sensitive topic for every woman. It is impossible to answer such questions unequivocally, because everyone makes mistakes, both tests and doctors. Before menstruation, the uterus swells, and doctors can sometimes mistake this fact for pregnancy... And vice versa, a period of 4 or 5 weeks will be mistaken for the premenstrual state of the uterus. Try doing the test not with a special test “stick”, but in the laboratory of your clinic. Good luck!".
Elena: “The doctor determined my pregnancy already in the third week. On your own and without an ultrasound! Probably, what kind of doctor you come across still plays a huge role. Try to trust your health only to highly qualified professionals."
Other diagnostic methods
Measuring basal temperature . The initial months of pregnancy are characterized by a basal temperature slightly above 37°C. Measurements are taken in bed in the morning.
Examination of cervical mucus . In the very early stages of pregnancy, the secretion released from the cervix does not contain large crystals when dried.
Ultrasound diagnostics . This diagnosis is carried out starting from 4-5 weeks. The fertilized egg is defined as a round formation located inside the endometrium, having a diameter of 0.3-0.5 cm. The first trimester is characterized by a weekly increase (0.7 cm) of the egg. By 10 weeks, the fertilized egg fills the entire uterine cavity.
By 7 weeks, the embryo is visible in the egg cavity in the form of a separate formation up to 1 cm long. At this time, it is possible to visualize an area that has weak motor activity and rhythmic vibrations.
This is the heart of the embryo. The main task of biometry in the first trimester is to determine the diameter of the egg and the CTR (coccygeal-parietal size) of the embryo. These values are in strict correlation with the duration of pregnancy. The most informative ultrasound method can be called transvaginal scanning. Transabdominal scanning is used only when the bladder is full to create an “acoustic window”.
What tests need to be done
Ideally, all the necessary tests and examinations should be done at the pregnancy planning stage. However, if for some reason you did not do them, then, if you find yourself in an interesting situation, you should immediately go to the clinic. Based on the test results, the doctor will assess your health level, and, if necessary, appropriate measures will be taken in a timely manner.
- Before going for a checkup in early pregnancy, you should do a urine test. This is the most common analysis. During pregnancy, it will have to be done almost every 2 weeks. And if there are any serious health problems, then more often.
- If signs of pregnancy are obvious during examination, it is also worth taking a blood test from a vein. This is done in order to establish the absence of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as to determine the blood type and Rh factor.
- If signs of pregnancy are noticeable in gynecology, then it’s time to donate blood from your finger. This is done in order to determine the level of hemoglobin, which is an oxygen carrier. If the hemoglobin level is critically low, this can have a detrimental effect on your condition and the condition of the child. In addition, a finger prick blood test will show the presence of antibodies to rubella and other TORCH infections in the blood.
You will also need to go:
- to the lore;
- neurologist;
- ophthalmologist;
- therapist.
These events are purely formal, however, absolutely necessary. You will have to undergo a standard medical examination three times: at the beginning, middle and end of pregnancy.
The gestational age is determined by:
- according to the last menstruation, counting the number of weeks (days) from the beginning of the last menstruation until the moment of examination of the woman. This method is not applicable for women with irregular menstrual cycles;
- by ovulation. Sometimes a woman can name the date of conception for various reasons (infrequent sexual intercourse, use of donor sperm, etc.)
- on the first visit to the obstetrician. Registration requires a mandatory vaginal examination, based on the results of which, using the table, the gestational age can be determined with sufficient accuracy;
- at the first movement. Primiparous women feel movement from the 20th week, and multiparous women - starting from the 18th week;
- according to ultrasound data. In the first trimester, determining the period of conception using ultrasound data gives more accurate results. Further, some inaccuracies are possible;
- Also in the first trimester, a certain location of the uterus in the pelvis is characteristic. Starting from the 16th week, the fundus of the uterus can be felt above the womb, and the period can be calculated using a centimeter tape, measuring the height of the fundus of the uterus above the womb.
Can an obstetrician-gynecologist not notice a pregnancy?
A woman’s impatient desire to find out about the presence of conception often leads her to the gynecologist much earlier than the due date. If the patient’s visit occurred at a time when the fertilized egg was on its way to the uterine cavity or at the stage of implantation into it, then the doctor will not be able to see the pregnancy. After all, there are no factors that would point to it yet!
If the probable signs are not confirmed, but the suspected ones are clearly expressed, then an experienced gynecologist will suggest undergoing a laboratory test to determine the level of the hCG hormone or undergo an examination later. The results of the blood test are considered reliable, so there is no point in doubting their veracity.
In order to exclude a diagnostic error, it is better to contact a gynecologist for examination 1-2 weeks after the delay. In this case, the fact of pregnancy cannot go unnoticed.
From this article you will learn about what methods of determining pregnancy can be used in the early stages. Find out how important it is to visit a qualified specialist if you detect any changes in the body.
