The relationship of induction-to-delivery and uterine incision-to-delivery intervals to neonatal outcome was studied in 105 parturient women undergoing cesarean section. Patients (60) received general anesthesia and 55 were given spinal anesthesia. During general anesthesia, induction-to-delivery intervals of more than 8 min and uterine incision-to-delivery intervals of more than 3 min were associated with significantly more instances of neonatal acidosis (umbilical artery pH 7.31 vs. 7.22), and a greater incidence of low 1-min Apgar scores (4% vs. 73%). In the groups receiving spinal anesthesia, prolongation of uterine incision-to-delivery interval by more than 3 min was found to be the only important factor influencing fetal outcome, as determined by an increased acidosis (umbilical artery pH 7.30 vs. 7.18) and by depressed Apgar scores (0% vs. 62%).