Which finding would be considered a positive sign of pregnancy?

The presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood is indeed a positive sign of pregnancy. hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. It is often one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy and is the basis for many pregnancy tests. Detecting hCG in blood or urine confirms that a pregnancy has occurred.

While the presence of a fetal heartbeat detected by ultrasound is also a strong indicator of pregnancy, it usually occurs later in the first trimester and is considered a more definitive sign of an established pregnancy rather than an early confirmation.

Enlargement of the abdomen can occur due to several reasons and may not solely indicate pregnancy, especially in early gestation. Increased urination frequency can occur in pregnant individuals but can also be attributed to other factors, such as fluid intake or urinary tract infections.

Hence, the detection of hCG represents a direct biochemical indication of pregnancy, making it a reliable positive sign.