Cases of hysterectomy in women in labour in the years 1977-1986 were analysed retrospectively. In the total number of 16390 labours in 23 cases hysterectomy was done in the period around the labour, that is 0. 14%, which was done by caesarean section in 13 cases (0.95%). Multiparae accounted for 73.9% of cases. In 21.7% of cases labour occurred before the 36th week of pregnancy. In 70% of cases injury to the uterus was noted in women giving birth by natural ways and natural forces after earlier operations leaving scars or with endometriosis. In women after caesarean section in 70% of cases the cause of hysterectomy was infection and septic shock, and in 15.4% uterine atonia was present. Complications were related most frequently to the urinary system--ureteral and vesicovaginal fistulae (36.4%) and coverings--wound infection (45.5%). The mean time of stay of the patients in hospital was 22 days. There were no deaths.