Ballottement indicates an increase of fluid over the patella at
the knee joint - this has more to do with an injury or infection
and nothing to do with pregnancy.
Braxton Hicks or practice contractions are uterine contractions
not usually felt until the second trimester or third trimester of
pregnancy - the only cause of Braxton Hicks is pregnancy.
Chadwick's sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vagina,
and labia caused by the hormone estrogen, its presence is an early
sign of pregnancy.
Goodell's Sign is a softening of the cervix and vagina - an
indication of pregnancy.
Hegar's sign is a softening at the cervix (lower end) and the
fundus (top of) the uterus - an indication of pregnancy.
While similar conditions may have alternative causes - Braxton
Hick's, Chadwick's, Goodell's and Hegar's are all found in
pregnancy.
