Palpable uterine artery pulsation as a clinical indicator of early pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to determine if palpable uterine artery pulsation is a reliable clinical indicator of pregnancy at less than six weeks' gestation. A preliminary, nonblind study involved 299 women. Of 31 women who were at less than six weeks' gestation, 24 had definite uterine artery pulsations, and 7 did not. Of 268 nonpregnant women, 256 did not have pulsation, while 12 did (P < .001). Because other clinical parameters could bias the interpretation of uterine artery pulsation, a second, blind study was undertaken. During it, 155 patients underwent bimanual examination only, and no other clinical information was available to the examiner. Of 25 women at less than six weeks' gestation, 19 had definite uterine artery pulsation, while 6 did not. Of 130 nonpregnant patients, 121 did not have uterine artery pulsation, while 9 did (P < .001). Palpable uterine artery pulsation seems to be associated with early pregnancy, and physicians should add evaluation of pulsation to their clinical armamentarium.