Fetal distress can lead to severe complications, such as long-term injury, physical deformities or disabilities, and in the worst-case scenario, death of the fetus. In some rare cases, fetal distress can also lead to the death of the mother. Fetal Distress indicates that something is not right with the fetus. If the mothers identify any signs of fetal distress, they must immediately contact their doctor or rush to the emergency.