Fetal distress means that there are signs that the baby of a pregnant woman may not be healthy. Some of these signs could be a decrease in movement that is felt by the mother. It is also possible for fetal stool to be found in the amniotic fluid, which could be a sign of fetal distress. Doctors may also notice that the baby’s heart rate is abnormal.
While fetal distress is something that usually surfaces while the mother is in labor, this is not always the case. It is also possible for it to occur earlier in a pregnancy as well. The most common reason for fetal distress is when the baby is not getting enough oxygen in its blood.
Oxygen is important to everyone and the baby needs it to develop correctly. When the baby is starved of oxygen for an extended period of time the brain could be effected greatly. If the baby is able to survive the problem, it is possible that they will have birth defects or brain damage as a result of the lack of oxygen.
Most of the time, when a baby is in distress, an emergency c-section is needed immediately. However, this is not possible early on in a pregnancy. This could mean that the lack of oxygen could actually kill the fetal tissue resulting in a miscarriage.