Continuous fetal monitoring following third-trimester amniocentesis.

One hundred forty-six patients were monitored for up to 2 hours after third-trimester amniocentesis. The patterns of uterine and fetal activity, as well as fetal heart rate, were analyzed using the criteria for nonstress and contraction stress testing. There was a clear relationship between these observations and perinatal outcome. Postamniocentesis monitoring was associated with an Apgar score of 6 or less in only 10% of cases with reactive patterns, compared with in 75% of cases with nonreactive patterns and reduced variability and in all cases with late-component deceleration. All cases of immediate fetal jeopardy were detected and there was no fetal loss. Postamniocentesis monitoring appears to offer significant prognostic information for perinatal outcome in high-risk pregnancy.