No abstract

A retrospective study was made of 228 mature singleton breech deliveries occurring over a 2 year period to determine the role of antenatal radiography, in particular, of pelvimetry. M a n y (65%) had abdominal radiography. Where antenatal pelvimetry was performed (38%) the infants were in significantly better condition during the neonatal period; this was most marked with parous women. There was no significant difference in the neonatal condition of 25 infants born vaginally of women with favourable pelvimetry compared with 3 1 infants born by elective caesarean sections.

Non-stress antepartum fetal cardiotocographic tracings were obtained on 2268 occasions from 1084 'at risk' pregnancies, and the findings are assessed in 834 of these that were recorded within 7 days of delivery or fetal death. The baseline fetal heart rate, reactivity, baseline variability and the response to spontaneous uterine contractions have been related to the perinatal outcome. Poor or absent reactivity, reduced baseline variability and variable or late decelerations, in response to contractions, were useful indicators of fetal compromise, but baseline heart rate was less helpful. These abnormalities can occur individually, or in combination, and the different patterns so produced have been related to perinatal outcome.

Summary. Non‐stress antepartum fetal cardiotocographic tracings were obtained on 2268 occasions from 1084 ‘at risk’ pregnancies, and the findings are assessed in 834 of these that were recorded within 7 days of delivery or fetal death. The baseline fetal heart rate, reactivity, baseline variability and the response to spontaneous uterine contractions have been related to the perinatal outcome. Poor or absent reactivity, reduced baseline variability and variable or late decelerations, in response to contractions, were useful indicators of fetal compromise, but baseline heart rate was less helpful. These abnormalities can occur individually, or in combination, and the different patterns so produced have been related to perinatal outcome.