Fetal heart rate reaction to amniocentesis as an indicator of fetal well-being.

The reaction of the FHR to amniocentesis in 43 pregnancies is reported. In 10 pregnancies the FHR reacted with deceleration. Eight of the 10 patients underwent subsequent labor and all developed fetal distress requiring cesarean section. In 31 pregnancies the FHR reacted with an acceleration. Twenty-five of these patients subsequently underwent labor without evidencing fetal distress and the remainder were delivered by cesarean section without labor. In two pregnancies no FHR response occurred following amniocentesis. In both no evidence of fetal distress occurred during labor. The significance of this test as an indicator of fetal well-being is discussed.