Prenatal diagnosis based on anatomic definition of the fetus in utero is a difficult task in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. A new method was presented called contact embryoscopy which consists of applying the optic piece of a contact hysteroscope (diameter of 6 mm) to the intact and translucent ovular membranes by the cervix. They performed 50 embryoscopies prior to termination of pregnancy at 8-12 wk. In 41 cases, they saw the hands of the fetus with the fingers. If this technique fails, it is possible, later, to use echography and fetoscopy; the side-effects were discussed. Contact embryoscopy would be particularly useful in the detection of malformations of the extremities, i.e., chondro-ectodermal dysplasia (Ellis Van Creveld Syndrome) or ectrodactyly.