What is a common symptom of abruptio placentae?

A common symptom of abruptio placentae is the presence of a board-like abdomen combined with dark red vaginal bleeding. This condition occurs when the placenta detaches prematurely from the uterine wall, which can lead to various complications. The "board-like" description refers to uterine hypertonicity or rigidity, which is a result of bleeding into the uterine structure and increasing muscle tone due to the irritative effects of blood in the space between the placenta and the uterine wall.

The dark red vaginal bleeding is significant as it indicates that the blood is likely from the placenta rather than from the cervix, which might produce brighter red blood in different circumstances such as placenta previa. The nature and timing of the bleeding in abruptio placentae can vary, but dark red blood typically indicates that it is from a serious retroplacental hemorrhage.

The other symptoms associated with abruptio placentae, such as severe abdominal pain and abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, may not be as distinctive or specific as the combination of a board-like abdomen and dark red vaginal bleeding. While severe abdominal pain can occur and is notable, the rigidity and bleeding are characteristic and critical in diagnosing this condition effectively.