childbirth

== English == === Alternative forms === child-birth === Etymology === From Middle English childbyrth [and other forms], perhaps a partial calque of Old Norse barnburðr (“childbearing, childbirth”, literally “bairn birth”); equivalent to child +‎ birth. Compare Swedish barnsbörd (“childbirth”), Icelandic barnsburður (“childbirth”). === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /ˈt͡ʃaɪldˌbɝθ/ === Noun === childbirth (usually uncountable, plural childbirths) The fact or action of giving birth to a child, as the culmination of pregnancy; the process by which it happens. Synonym: parturition Antonym: death Near-synonyms: labour, delivery (the moment of emergence) ==== Related terms ==== birth birthchild ==== Translations ==== === See also === accoucheur maternity ward obstetrician puerperal === Anagrams === birthchild