childbirth

childbirth — noun

1. the physical process in which a baby is pushed out of its mother's body, usually

1.nounB2
Definition

the physical process in which a baby is pushed out of its mother's body, usually starting with contractions of the womb and ending when the newborn arrives

Example

Priya's childbirth lasted eighteen hours, but both mother and baby stayed healthy throughout.

possessive: [person]'s childbirth

The local hospital offers free childbirth classes for first-time parents every Saturday.

noun modifier: childbirth + class

Common collocations
  • during childbirth
  • in childbirth
  • difficult childbirth
  • natural childbirth
  • childbirth class
  • childbirth experience
  • childbirth complication
  • die in childbirth
Synonyms
  • giving birth

    the everyday conversational phrase; used in informal speech more than 'childbirth'

  • delivery

    medical term that focuses on the moment the baby arrives, not the whole labour process

  • labour

    specifically the contractions and pushing stage before delivery, not the entire process

  • parturition

    technical medical term; very rare in everyday language, found mostly in textbooks

Grammar Patterns

during childbirth

in childbirth

childbirth + noun (childbirth class, childbirth experience)

Usage Note

Childbirth is almost always uncountable when describing the process in general ('childbirth can be painful'). It is used as a countable noun only when referring to a specific instance of giving birth ('she had a difficult childbirth'). The related but distinct term 'labour' refers specifically to the contractions and pushing stage, while 'childbirth' covers the entire process from the start of labour to the delivery of the baby and placenta.

Common Mistakes

She is taking a childbearing class this month.
She is taking a childbirth class this month.
'Childbearing' refers to the long-term capacity or state of having children; 'childbirth' refers to the specific event of giving birth.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four terms relate to the same event but differ in register and scope. 'Childbirth' is the standard neutral term covering the entire process from the onset of labour through the delivery of the baby. 'Giving birth' is the everyday conversational equivalent — you would say 'she gave birth last night' rather than 'she experienced childbirth last night' in casual speech. 'Delivery' is the medical professional's term, focusing on the moment the baby is actually born; it is also the word used in hospital contexts ('the delivery room', 'a C-section delivery'). 'Labour' narrows the focus to the period of contractions and pushing before the baby arrives — it is a stage within childbirth rather than a synonym for the whole event. 'Parturition' is an academic/technical term found almost exclusively in medical textbooks and is not used in everyday conversation. In practical terms: use 'giving birth' in conversation, 'childbirth' in neutral writing, 'delivery' in medical contexts, and 'labour' when referring specifically to the painful contractions stage.

giving birthdelivery ↗labour ↗parturition

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • natural childbirth
  • difficult childbirth
  • childbirth education

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Childbirth is a compound formed from the Old English words 'cild' (child, a baby or young person) and 'byrde' (birth, the act of coming into the world). The word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the event of a mother bringing a child into the world. Before this compound became standard, English speakers used phrases such as 'child-bearing' or 'travail of child'.