ABSTRACT
Until the 1990s, women requiring more intensive observation or investigation than could be arranged in the antenatal clinic were admitted to hospital; large antenatal wards were common, with many women spending long periods in hospital with dubious benefit. In the past 10 years, assessment units and day hospitals have been developed, which enable women with problems to attend, to have blood pressure readings, ultrasound examinations, cardiotocography and laboratory tests conducted efficiently and synchronously over a short period of time. At the time of writing, the function of such units is not fully established and there is some concern that the service provided in routine antenatal clinics may be downgraded because of this, with unfortunate consequences. It is important to distinguish visits to fetal assessment units from ordinary antenatal visits and to identify all the tests that might have been done and obtain the results.
