It is especially in the long-term application where the pharmacodynamics of the betamimetics determine their effectiveness. According to the time and dosis, there is a decrease in the density and function of the beta 2-adrenoceptors (desensitization). Clinically, this means a loss of effectiveness. This study investigated whether in the course of a normal pregnancy (n = 22) there is a change in the effectiveness of the betamimetics, as expressed by a change in the number of beta 2-adrenoceptors or their function. The results show a 50% decrease in the number of beta 2-adrenoceptors to the 36th gestational week and an increase to initial values after delivery. A similar pattern is found for the function of the beta 2-adrenoceptors (cyclic AMP). The implications for the uterus might be that, with advancing pregnancy, it becomes less prone to relaxation and that the betaadrenergic system, as a mechanism supporting prepare the way for delivery at term, becomes less significant. For tocolysis with betamimetics, the decrease of the beta 2-adrenoceptor density means that, with increasing gestational age, the responsiveness of the uterus to betamimetics decreases.