Fetal distress in itself is a non-specific term as the various parameters to determine the type and degree of distress are themselves ill defined. The simplistic concept that fetal dysfunction in labor can be considered as a single condition and labelled as fetal distress is no longer tenable. The various indicators such as an abnormal intrapartum FHR pattern, meconium staining of the amniotic fluid, and low apgar scores should be evaluated in terms of their individual significance not expecting that an abnormality in one will necessarily be reflected as an abnormality in the other. Use of a specific and standardised terminology or the use of descriptive terminology to characterize each case of “fetal distress” may lead to uniformity and precise interpretation of data which often seem contentious.