In patients with a history of placental abruption, what symptom should be monitored closely?

In patients with a history of placental abruption, closely monitoring for abdominal pain is crucial. Placental abruption involves the premature detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall, which can lead to significant complications for both the mother and the fetus. Abdominal pain often signifies that there may be ongoing detachment or changes that could impact fetal blood flow and maternal health.

In addition, abdominal pain could indicate other potential complications such as increased bleeding or uterine contractions, which require immediate medical attention. As such, it becomes essential to assess the character and severity of abdominal pain in these patients, allowing clinicians to make timely interventions to ensure both maternal and fetal well-being.

Other symptoms such as persistent low-grade fever, excessive fatigue, or increased fetal movement, while they can be relevant in their own contexts, do not directly indicate the immediate risks associated with placental abruption in the same way that abdominal pain does. Monitoring for abdominal pain is a more appropriate focus in this scenario due to the acute nature of potential complications.