[Historical and clinical aspects of prolonged pregnancy]

The author analyses the subject of prolonged pregnancy from two perspectives. Firstly, the current Clinical view, and secondly, looking far back into the past, a perspective which offers historical considerations. The Medical and Legal aspects of the matter are approached historically (130 B.C., Alfonso el Sabio). The French, English, and Spanish jurisprudence is approached from the perspective of the 20th century. Pregnancy duration is analysed in the human species as well as in various other animal species. Other factors also taken into account include the start of the birth process, seen from the viewpoint of the sixties up to the current neuro-endocrine knowledge. The author concludes by presenting a synopsis of the current means available for precisely determining the true length of pregnancy.