Have you ever wondered what kind of signs can you use to know that you are pregnant? Most women ask this, especially those who want to get pregnant.
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Knowing these pregnancy signs helps so that you can know when to opt in for prenatal care if you want to, so as to make your pregnancy and delivery sail smoothly.
So, for today, Healthsoothe will focus on one of the signs of pregnancy known as hegar’s sign. Hegar’s sign is one of the most common pregnancy signs out there which is easy to detect.
We will explain all there is to know about hegar’s sign, its causes, what it really is, and much more.
So, let’s proceed.
What is Hegar’s Sign
The Hegar’s sign is a non-specific pregnancy indicator defined by the compressibility and softness of the cervical isthmus; that is the part of the cervix between the vaginal portion and the uterus of the cervix.
It usually appears between the 4th and 6th weeks of pregnancy; however, it might appear until the 12th week. The Hegar sign is not a sure marker of pregnancy, but its absence does not rule out the possibility of a pregnancy.
The Chadwick and Goodell signs are non-specific pregnancy symptoms that might appear between the 4th and 8th weeks of pregnancy. The Goodell sign is distinguished by the tenderness of the cervical region.
The Chadwick sign, on the other hand, is distinguished by a blue coloring of the vulva, vagina, and cervix which is caused by an increase in the venous flow of blood to the region.
What Causes Hegar’s Sign?
Different physiological changes that take place during the initial six weeks of pregnancy are often responsible for hegar’s sign. Increased blood flow, estrogen, progesterone, and prostaglandin production, as well as other biochemical changes, may alter cervical tissue composition in early pregnancy.
These alterations, in particular, often result in a decrease in collagen concentration as well as a rise in dermatan sulfate proteoglycans inside the cervical tissue, leading to softening of the isthmus of the cervix, or Hegar sign.
How Do You Check for Hegar’s Sign?
A medical practitioner may physically examine the hegar’s sign by doing a bimanual assessment in which 2 fingers of one hand are introduced into the vagina while 2 fingers of the other hand exert pressure outwardly to the abdomen to palpate the lower part of the uterine section[mfn]Hiralal, K.(2018). D.C. Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics (9th ed.). India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Pvt, Ltd.[/mfn].
During bimanual palpation, the lower uterine segment’s consistency may seem mushy in comparison to the uterine body above and the cervix below.[mfn]McCann, F. C. (1906). The diagnosis of pregnancy. The Hospital, 41(1050), 88–89. [/mfn]
What Other Signs Can You Use to Check for Pregnancy?
Apart from the hegar’s sign, there are two other signs that denote pregnancy. They are:
- Chadwick sign
Chadwick sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix[mfn]Uldbjerg, N., & Ulmsten, U. (1990). The physiology of cervical ripening and cervical dilatation and the effect of abortifacient drugs. Bailliere’s Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 4(2), 263-282. DOI: 10.1016/S0950-3552(05)80226-3[/mfn], vagina, and vulva caused by venous congestion[mfn]Health Jade Team. Chadwick sign. In Health Jade. Retrieved October 19th, 2022, [/mfn]. Chadwick’s sign can be observed as early as 6-8 weeks[mfn]Christiansen, S. (2021). What is Chadwick’s Sign? In Verywell Health. Retrieved Oct 19th, 2022 [/mfn] after conception and is often used as an early sign of pregnancy.
The diagnosis of pregnancy requires a multifaceted approach using 3 main diagnostic tools[mfn]Ladinski, L. J. (1907). Diagnosis of early pregnancy with reference to a particular sign. Medical Record (1866-1922), 71(15), 597.[/mfn]. These are history and physical examination, laboratory evaluation, and ultrasonography. Currently, physicians may use all of these tools to diagnose pregnancy at early gestation and to help rule out other pathologies.
Important aspects of the menstrual history must be obtained. The woman should describe her usual menstrual pattern, including the date of onset of last menses, duration, flow, and frequency.
Items that may confuse the diagnosis of early pregnancy are an atypical last menstrual period, contraceptive use, and a history of irregular menses. Additionally, as many as 25% of women bleed during their first trimester, further complicating the assessment.
The classic presentation of pregnancy is a woman with menses of regular frequency who presents with the absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), nausea, vomiting, generalized malaise, and breast tenderness.
Upon physical examination, one may find an enlarged uterus after bimanual examination, breast changes, and softening and enlargement of the cervix (Hegar sign; observed at approximately 6 weeks).
A gravid uterus may be palpable low in the abdomen if the pregnancy has progressed far enough, usually by 12 weeks. Currently, through the use of chemical assays and ultrasonography, physicians are capable of making the diagnosis of pregnancy before many of the physical signs and symptoms are evident.
Several hormones can be measured and monitored to aid in the diagnosis of pregnancy. The most commonly used assays are for the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG). Other hormones that have been used include progesterone and early pregnancy factor.
- Goodell’s sign
Goodell’s sign is an indication of pregnancy[mfn]Chong; W.M. (1 January 2001). Cardiology A Socratic Approach. Orient Blackswan. pp. 36–. ISBN 978-81-250-1887-2.[/mfn]. It is a significant softening of the vaginal portion of the cervix.
Important Facts to Know About Hegar’s Sign
Hegar’s sign is a non-specific pregnancy indicator characterized by cervical isthmus compressibility and softness. Hegar’s sign normally appears between the fourth and sixth weeks of pregnancy, however, it may appear as late as the 12th week[mfn]Cunningham, Gary (2010). Williams obstetrics: Chapter 8, Prenatal Care (23rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN 978-0071497015.[/mfn].
Hegar’s sign is usually caused by changes in the thickness of the cervical isthmus within the first 6wks of pregnancy. A medical practitioner may physically examine it via bimanual examination, in which the integrity of the lower part of the uterine segment may seem mushy when contrasted to the bulk of the uterus above and the cervix below.[mfn]Hamilton Bailey, W. J. Bishop (1944). Notable names in Medicine & Surgery. London: H. K. Lewis & Co. Ltd. p. 101.[/mfn][mfn]D.C.Dutta (2013). D.C.DUTTA’S Textbook of Obstetrics. India: New central book Agency Ltd. p. 65.[/mfn]
All right, guys, that is it for now for hegar’s sign.
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