[Continuous breast stimulation in prenatal fetal diagnosis]

Fifty, high risk pregnancies were studied, where not more than 7 days before labour passed, an unilateral continuous breast stimulation test was performed. The predictive value, the testing time and the side effects of the method were analyzed. According to the results this breast stimulation test reliably indicates the fetal state. The testing time of the endogenous oxytocin challenge test is shorter than that of the exogen oxytocin challenge test. Because of the risk of hyperstimulation the test must be performed with intensive maternal and fetal observation. In the opinion of the authors the breast stimulation test--because of its reliability, shorter testing time and simpleness--should be the first choice among the challenge tests and only in case of a failure comes an exogen oxytocin challenge test into question.