Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 October 2008
We cannot talk to the fetus. Our ability to place the fetal condition accurately in context, therefore, lies with indirect evidence and inferred responses. We can examine the fetus. We can do so in a most comprehensive fashion, addressing the salient points of fetal anatomy, both structural and functional. We are able to perform routine evaluation of every system and the methodology is available to assess critical areas such as the heart and the central nervous system in specific detail.