Active management of labour: care of the fetus.

A prospective study of 1000 consecutive primigravidae was conducted to assess the relevance of the colour of the liquor to the welfare of the child. The results showed that clear liquor early in labour virtually ensures the birth of a healthy infant, provided the duration of labour is limited and delivery is effected without trauma; and, conversely, that meconium--or no liquor--marks the fetus who may suffer death or brain damage during normal labour. Special techniques were reserved for the second group of cases.