Which physical finding is expected during an 8-week gestation based on a positive pregnancy test?

At 8 weeks of gestation, one of the key physical findings associated with early pregnancy is a softening of the cervix, known medically as Goodell's sign. This change occurs due to increased vascularity, glandular development, and hormonal influences on the cervix, primarily from estrogen and progesterone. As the tissue becomes more pliable, it prepares for changes that will support pregnancy progression.

The presence of fetal heart sounds typically becomes detectable via ultrasound around 6-7 weeks of gestation but is not considered a physical finding during the medical examination at this early stage, making it less relevant in this context. Noticeable abdominal enlargement usually occurs later in pregnancy, as the uterus grows and is pushed above the pubic symphysis, usually around 12 weeks and beyond. Lastly, increased maternal blood pressure is not a typical finding during early pregnancy; often, the opposite occurs due to changes in blood volume and vascular resistance. Hence, the softening of the cervix is the correct choice based on physiological changes that occur in early gestation.