fetal distress

Fetal distress refers to the presence of signs in a pregnant woman—before or during childbirth—that suggest that the fetus may not be well. Because of its lack of precision, the term is eschewed in modern American obstetrics.

Generally it is preferable to describe specific signs in lieu of declaring fetal distress that include:

Decreased movement felt by the mother

Meconium in the amniotic fluid ('meconium stained fluid')

Non-reassuring patterns seen on cardiotocography:

increased or decreased fetal ...