Three small samples (50ul) of amniotic fluid (AF) were collected: at the first vaginal examination or when the membranes had been broken, before augmentation with oxytocin and at the time of delivery. If no spontaneously flowing AF was available, a small single-use catheter was used. Previous studies have shown no difference in the value of AFL if AF was flowing spontaneously or collected through a catheter . Amniotomy for augmentation was permitted according to the protocol of the hospital, but not for the sole purpose of obtaining AF for the study.