In a case of a patient with a tentative diagnosis of abruptio placentae, which finding would support this diagnosis?

In cases of abruptio placentae, one of the hallmark findings is sustained uterine hypertonicity. This condition occurs due to the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, leading to increased muscle tone in the uterus. Patients may experience painful contractions that do not subside. The sustained hypertonicity can be associated with abdominal pain and is a significant indicator that supports the diagnosis of abruptio placentae.

The presence of normal fetal movement would not be indicative of abruptio placentae, as fetal movement may be reduced in this situation due to compromised blood flow. The absence of vaginal bleeding is particularly misleading because, while some cases may present with minimal bleeding, many will have varying degrees of bleeding, thus making this finding less supportive of a diagnosis. Regular contractions, while they may occur in various labor scenarios, do not specifically indicate abruptio placentae and can occur in normal labor as well. Therefore, the symptom of sustained uterine hypertonicity is a critical finding closely associated with the diagnosis of abruptio placentae.