An intrauterine state characterized by suboptimal values in the fetal heart rate, oxygenation of fetal blood, or other parameters indicative of compromise of the fetus. Signs of fetal distress include repetitive variable decelerations, fetal tachycardia or bradycardia, late decelerations, or low biophysical profile. The phenotype is Fetal distress (HP_0025116, a Human Phenotype Ontology entry). Also known as: Foetal distress.