The unborn baby after the eighth week of pregnancy until birth is called a fetus. Fetal distress is a very general term that is used to describe any unborn baby that is showing signs of agitation, usually during labour and birth. Signs of distress are usually diagnosed by changes in the speed of the unborn baby’s heartbeat and/or a decrease in the oxygen levels of the baby’s blood. A number of things can be done if there is fetal distress depending on the stage of labour you are at.