The Authors examine 1994 cardiotocographic recordings during labour, equivalent to 89% of all deliveries of the same period. They evaluate the acceleratory activity in the tract of recording presenting alterations considered expression of foetal distress (bradycardia, severe tachycardia, loss of cyclic variations, variable and late decelerations), and compare both parameters with the perinatal outcome. The presence of accelerations seems to allow a more oculate evaluation of the cardiotocogram and, in particular, a decreased incidence of hurried instrumental foetal extractions.