Abstract

SUMMARY(1) Three cases of abdominal pregnancy have been presented which were carried for nine months or longer on one obstetrical service within a period of one year.(2) Abdominal pregnancy can be diagnosed with less difficulty if one suspects it in any case which "does not seem just right."(3) X-rays are very valuable when used in advanced abdominal pregnancy, especially when a diagonal or other peculiar positions of the fetus is noted.(4) If the fetus expires at or past the expected date of delivery without true labor or unusual symptoms, one should suspect abdominal pregnancy.(5) Each of the cases presented showed some other disease or condition which may have been in some way responsible for the abdominal pregnancy. All were colored patients and came from a region where venereal disease is high.(6) One infant was born alive but soon expired. This was probably due to congenital defects which are common in this condition.(7) Alertness of the obstetrician and early diagnosis may save more infants. Leaving the placenta where it is, as in the three cases presented, may lower the high mortality from this rare form of pregnancy and save obstetricians a self-inflicted headache.