The potential impact of the computer on the practice of obstetrics has long been recognized and is slowly being realized. Computers are already essential in many administrative aspects of obstetrics and indispensable in data storage and analysis for clinical research. Emerging applications include computer systems for taking the perinatal history, storage and on-line interpretation of fetal monitor tracings, information retrieval for case management and research purposes, and computer-assisted instruction. Future applications offer possibilities of computerized consulting for support of obstetric decisions and sophisticated case simulations for continuing education.