Clinical pregnancy is a pregnancy confirmed by observable or audible evidence of a fetus. This confirmation is typically achieved through an ultrasound that visualizes either the gestational sac or the fetal heartbeat. Elevated levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), the pregnancy hormone, often accompany this confirmation. The earliest signs of a clinical pregnancy are usually detectable around five weeks into the pregnancy. This differs from a chemical pregnancy, where only elevated hCG levels are detected, without visualization of a gestational sac or fetal heartbeat.
Key Characteristics of Clinical Pregnancy:
- Ultrasound Confirmation: Visualization of the gestational sac or fetal heartbeat via ultrasound is a crucial element in diagnosing a clinical pregnancy.
- Elevated hCG Levels: While not the sole criterion, significantly increased levels of hCG, the pregnancy hormone, are usually present.
- Observable or Audible Fetal Signs: This means clinical signs of the pregnancy are confirmed by medical means.
Examples of Clinical Pregnancy Confirmation:
- A healthcare provider using ultrasound to see the fetal heartbeat.
- Detection of fetal movement by the healthcare provider.
Clinical Pregnancy in IVF:
Research utilizes machine learning to predict the likelihood of clinical pregnancy in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles. (Predicting clinical pregnancy using clinical features and machine learning algorithms)
Clinical Pregnancy and Early Pregnancy Loss:
Early pregnancy loss, defined as the loss of a pregnancy within the first trimester, is a common occurrence in clinical practice. The diagnosis of clinical pregnancy provides a basis for monitoring and management of such potential complications. (Early Pregnancy Loss | ACOG)
