For Patients/Families

Fetal distress
Problems with the unborn child during labor. Sometimes during labor and delivery, the fetus may not be getting enough oxygen from the placenta. When this occurs, the fetal heart rate may show characteristic patterns. These patterns can been seen on the fetal heart rate monitor and when these patterns are seen it is called fetal distress. Fetal distress alerts the obstetrician that either further investigation or intervention is required to assure the fetus' well-being.