[Perinatal care yesterday, today, tomorrow--which way does the pendulum swing?]

Based on knowledge of foetal physiology and circulation, time for cord clamping and placement of the infant after delivery, we discuss the conditions around ABC (Alternative Birth Care) deliveries, the baby-friendly initiative and early discharge from the maternal ward. When ABO-incompatibility is present, the number of infants needing phototherapy is doubled. With use of a reflectometric bilirubin determination and new phototherapy units, diagnosis and treatment can be performed at home. In the wake of high technology, the introduction of new and the reintroduction of old routines, it is easy to forget the sensible dimensions of the interaction between mother and infant. These are probably the most important factors connected to the development of mother and child interaction and the infant's way of managing its future life.