Fetal size and growth velocity in the prediction of intrapartum caesarean section for fetal distress

Abstract

Growth velocity of the fetal abdominal area in the third trimester is superior to a single measurement of the fetal abdominal area at either a mean of 32 or 36 weeks of gestation in the prediction of caesarean section for fetal distress and admission to the special care baby unit in low-risk women labouring at term. These results support the hypothesis that in the third trimester at least, growth rate in utero is more relevant to intrapartum performance and immediate perinatal outcome than estimates of fetal size alone.