In obstetrics, fetal distress refers to the signs showed by a pregnant woman either before or during child birth of the fetus she is carrying not being healthy or being extremely fatigued. The signs of fetal distress would include the mother feeling that the movement of the baby in her womb has reduced, presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid, signs of cardiocartography, abnormalities noticed in the heart rate of the fetus especially if it occurs during or after the contractions have occurred, too many variations in the heart rate of the fetus, biochemical signs which can be collected with the help of certain complicated procedures which might also cause later abnormalities in the unborn child, fetal acidosis, heightened fetal blood lactate levels proving that the baby suffers from lactic acidosis.

Some of these signs are more definite symptoms of fetal distress than some of the others. For instance, cardiocartography might show a high number of false positive rates even when interpreted by very highly qualified and experienced medical experts. Even though acidosis is a reliable predictor, it is mostly unavailable. A very effective mode of assessment of distress is to use the heart rate of the fetus as the first indicator of distress. This is more reliable than the many available radical treatments. The reasons that fetal distress would arise are breathing problems, abnormal positioning and uncomfortable presentation of the fetus, multiple number of births, shoulder dystocia, umbilical cord prolapse, nuchal cord, placental abruption and premature closure of the fetal arteriosus.

In most cases of fetal distress, the obstetrician would suggest an early delivery of the baby because keeping it in the womb longer would mean damaging it greater. Induction can be used to initiate this delivery in most cases or if the situation is rather dire and very urgent, a cesarean section delivery can also be conducted.

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