Features

• There are only 4 definite signs of pregnancy, despite the many possible pregnancy symptoms. These definite signs of pregnancy are: detection of the embryo or fetus using ultrasound technology, hearing the fetal heartbeat by Doppler sound technology, feeling fetal movements and detection of the fetus by X-ray. However, the use of X-rays or other diagnostic imaging devices is not recommended during pregnancy for the safety of the fetus.
  
  

Time Frame

• Unfortunately, most of these definite signs of pregnancy show up long after the pregnancy is initially established. The earliest definite sign of pregnancy is detection of the embryo by ultrasound at a doctor's office. The embryo is usually visible by ultrasound at 5 to 6 weeks gestation, or 1 to 2 weeks after a missed period. Hearing fetal heart tones cannot usually be heard before 10 to 12 weeks of gestation, and fetal movement is generally not felt by the mother before 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
  
  

Considerations

• While the definite signs of pregnancy are the only ways to be completely certain a woman is pregnant, most women, and their doctors, rely on either at-home or in-office urine pregnancy tests to confirm pregnancy. Most of these pregnancy tests are extremely accurate, roughly 97 percent, in confirming pregnancy when used correctly. However, since there is the slight possibility of a false positive and plenty of room for user error, a positive pregnancy test alone is not considered one of the definite signs of pregnancy.
  
  

Presumptive Signs

• Pregnancy signs are divided into 3 categories, beginning with these presumptive, or possible, signs of pregnancy. While it is possible that a woman with one or more of these signs may be pregnant, these signs may also indicate any number of other conditions. Presumptive signs of pregnancy include a missed period, nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness and an increase in frequency of urination.
  
  

Probable Signs

• The probable signs of pregnancy are more likely to indicate a pregnancy than the presumptive signs, but their presence is still not a definitive indication of pregnancy. Probable signs of pregnancy include a positive pregnancy test, softening of the cervix, bluish coloring of the cervix, vagina and vulva, an enlarged abdomen and Braxton-Hicks contractions.