Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

fetal circulation
See 
circulation, fetal.
fetal development
See 
prenatal development.
fetal distress
Compromise of a fetus during the
antepartum period (before labor) or intrapartum
period (during the birth process). The term fetal
distress is commonly used to describe fetal hypoxia
(low oxygen levels in the fetus), which can result in
fetal damage or death if it is not reversed or if the
fetus is not promptly delivered. Fetal distress can be
detected via abnormal slowing of labor, changes in
fetal heart rate, the presence of meconium (dark
green fecal material from the fetus) or other abnor-
mal substances in the amniotic fluid, or fetal moni-
toring with an electronic device that shows a fetal
scalp pH of less than 7.2.
fetal dystocia
See 
dystocia, fetal.
fetal hemoglobin
See 
hemoglobin F.
fetal mortality rate
The number of fetal deaths
divided by the sum of all births plus late fetal deaths
in a given year. In the US, the fetal mortality rate
plummeted from 19.2 per 1,000 births plus late
fetal deaths in 1950 to 6.6 per 1,000 in 2000.
However, the fetal mortality rate is higher than this
in certain ethnic groups and among mothers with
health problems during pregnancy, especially if the
mother does not receive adequate personal and
prenatal health care. The fetal mortality rate is con-
sidered a good measure of the quality of health care
in a country or a medical facility.
fetal movement
Movement of the fetus in the
womb. The first fetal movements felt by the mother
usually occur between 18 and 22 weeks of
pregnancy but may occur earlier. Also known as
quickening.
fetoprotein, alpha-
See 
alpha-fetoprotein.
fetoscope
A device used to obtain information
about a fetus within the uterus. There are two types
of fetoscopes: A fiberoptic scope for looking directly
at the fetus within the uterus and a stethoscope
designed for listening to the fetal heart beat.