Various policies of management of prolonged labour have been proposed to prevent its two main consequences--caesarean section and fetal distress. Two randomised controlled trials were organised; the first to assess the value of amniotomy with oxytocin compared to a more conservative approach. The second trial compared the effect of continuous professional support during labour with the intermittent presence of a member of staff. These were multicentre studies in several countries of Europe. Preliminary results of early amniotomy suggested no difference in the rate of operative delivery. Continuous professional support was associated with a significant reduction in operative deliveries.