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Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were determined ante- and post-partum in 7 healthy primiparous women. ANP was measured at weekly intervals from the 35th week of pregnancy onwards and throughout the puerperium up to the sixth week post-partum. In all seven patients the mean of the ANP values during the first four days post-partum was higher than in late pregnancy. The mean ANP level from the 6th day up to the 42nd day showed a marked decrease compared with the first four days after birth, which, however, did not differ significantly from the mean plasma concentration in late pregnancy. In conclusion, ANP is markedly elevated during the first few days post-partum compared with plasma levels in the normal late pregnancy and the subsequent puerperium.

The obstetrical policy during labor at two University clinics in Nottingham (United Kingdom) and Nijmegen (The Netherlands) was investigated prospectively and simultaneously during a period of three months (1984). At the University of Nijmegen the obstetrical population tended to be more 'pathologic', and less intervention during labor was observed for early amniotomy, pain relief, induction and augmentation of labor. The pH in umbilical arterial blood was as a mean 0.01 unit lower in Nijmegen than in Nottingham. The validity of electronic fetal monitoring appeared to be higher in Nijmegen. It is concluded that data on the neonate probably cannot give an answer in favor of one of these policies. Parenthood information could give more conclusive evidence.

The effects of maternal exercise were studied in 20 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. A continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound system was used to record arterial flow velocity waveforms from the ascending vasculature downstream from the uterine artery. The fetal heart rate was monitored with a Doppler ultrasound cardiotocograph. No significant change was found in the uterine blood flow velocity waveform post-exercise, as expressed by the pulsatility index, suggesting absence of change in the uterine vascular bed resistance. The fetal heart rate significantly increased after exercise.