Signs of Pregnancy:
Presumptive Signs
·
Amenorrhea – absence of menses
·
Nausea and Vomiting
·
Increased breast sensitivity and breast changes
·
Increased pigmentation
·
Constipation
·
Frequent urination
·
Quickening
·
Abdominal enlargement
Probable Signs
·
Uterine enlargement
·
Hegar’s Sign
·
Goodell’s Sign
·
Chadwick’s Sign
·
Ballottement
·
Braxton Hick’s contraction
·
Positive Pregnancy Test
Positive Signs
·
Fetal Heart Tone
·
X-ray or Ultrasound of fetus
·
Palpable fetal movements
Discomforts of Pregnancy
Changes
|
Reason
|
Health
Teachings
|
Nausea and Vomiting
|
Increased HCG
|
·
Dry
crackers 30 min. before arising
·
Small,
frequent, low fat meals
·
Liquids
bet. meals
·
Avoid
anti-emetics.
|
Heartburn
|
Increased
progesterone which dec. gastric motility causing esophageal reflux.
|
·
Pats of
butter before meals
·
Avoid
fried , fatty foods
·
Sips of
milk at frequent intervals.
·
Small,
frequent meals taken slowly.
·
Bends at
the knees, not at the waist
·
Take
antacids
|
Constipation
|
Due to displacement
of the stomach and intestines; iron supplements
|
·
Increased
fluids and roughage in the diet.
·
Regular
elimination time.
·
Increase
exercise
·
Avoid
enemas, harsh laxatives and mineral oil.
|
Hemorrhoids
|
Pressure of growing
fetus, Increase venous pressure
|
·
Warm
sitz bathing
·
High
fiber diet and increase fluid.
·
Sit on
soft pillow
|
Urinary Frequency
|
Increase blood
supply to the kidney/
Pressure of enlarged
uterus in the 3rd Tri
|
·
Sleep on
the side at night.
·
Limit
fluid intake during evening
·
Bladder
training
|
Backache
|
From exaggerated
lumbo-sacral curving during pregnancy.
|
·
Back
exercise (pelvic rock)
·
Wear
low-heeled shoes.
·
Avoid
heavy lifting
|
Leg
Cramps
|
Increase pressure of
gravid fetus, low calcium
|
·
Frequent
rest with feet elevated
·
Regular
exercise like walking
·
Increase
milk intake
|
Ankle
Edema
|
From venous stasis
|
·
Elevate
legs at least twice a day.
·
Sleep on
left side
|
Varicose
Veins
|
From faulty valves
or weakened vessel walls
|
·
Elevate
feet when sitting.
·
Use
support hose
·
Apply
elastic bandage
·
Avoid
use of constricting garters
|
Shortness
of breath
|
From pressure on
diaphragm
|
·
Sleep
with feet elevated or on
·
regularly.
|
Nasal
stuffiness and epistaxis
|
Elevated Estrogen
levels
|
·
Direct
pressure to the nasal area
·
Avoid
blowing of nose.
|
Fatigue
|
Due to hormonal
changes
|
·
Get
regular exercise
·
Sleep as
much as needed.
·
Avoid
stimulants.
|
Breast
Tenderness
|
Increase estrogen
and progesterone level
|
·
Wear
well fitted bra
·
Warm
compress
|
Increased
Vaginal discharges
|
Due to hyperplasia
of mucosa and increase mucus production
|
·
Consult
physician if infection is suspected
·
Wash
carefully and keep it dry.
|
