Detection of fetal risk in postmaturity.

Ninety-seven postmature pregnancies were monitored by amnioscopy or amniocentesis (to determine presence or absence of meconium), oxytocin challenge tests (OCT), 24-hour urinary oestriol estimations and fetal movement counts. The colour of the amniotic fluid and the result of the OCT predicted almost all cases of fetal distress in labour and infants with low Apgar scores. Oestriol estimations and fetal movement counts predicted fetal distress only when combined with other positive tests. Of 50 patients with no abnormal test results, 49 had uneventful labours. The Caesarean section rate was not above average and all babies were liveborn.