Fetal activity determinations followed by oxytocin challenge tests were performed in 101 patients. When fetal heart accelerations occurred following fetal movement, the oxytocin stress test was negative in 99.5% of the cases. An abnormal fetal activity determination was followed by a positive oxytocin challenge test in 12% of the cases. A normal fetal activity determination was indicative of good fetal reserve and therefore reduces the need for oxytocin challenge test. An abnormal fetal activity determination, however, is unreliable and requires that an oxytocin challenge test be performed.