Late termination of pregnancy

Abstract

Up to the middle of the last century the fetus was hidden from view until birth and was inaccessible for diagnosis. The discovery and technical improvement of imaging modalities such as ultrasound, X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging meant that the fetus is no longer hidden until birth. The fetus is now potentially a patient who can be examined, subjected to diagnostic investigations and treated. As a consequence, congenital abnormalities are diagnosed earlier today with a more accurate assessment of prognosis and better-informed counselling.