We have been studying fetal centralization in the toxemic/IUGR model since 1992, by means of Doppler of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and ductus venosus, computerized CTG and cordocentesis. The natural history of fetal centralization may be divided into 3 phases: normoxemic centralization, hypoxemic centralization and decompensation. The natural history of fetal hypoxemia in these models and the patterns of computerized CTG were also described. Having analysed 105 cases of very high‐risk pregnancies in the toxemic/IUGR model with fetal centralization, we tried to define the best parameter to indicate the ideal timing for delivery, and the presence of centralization after 28 weeks gestation appears to seems to indicate it.

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