Childbirth

Childbirth

Also called labor, delivery, birth, partus, or parturition, it is the final stage of pregnancy in which one or more newborn infants are expulsed from a woman's uterus. Normal childbirth process consists of three stages: the shortening and dilation of the cervix, descent and birth of the infant, and birth of the placenta.

Industry: Health care; Parenting

Add a new term

Contributors in Childbirth

Become a Contributors

Childbirth

dilation

Health care; Childbirth

Dilation is the action of stretching or enlarging an organ or part of the body. In child birth, dilation refers to the enlarging of the cervix.

cervix

Health care; Childbirth

The cervix is a constricted portion of an organ or part; especially the narrow outer end of the uterus.

mucus plug

Health care; Childbirth

A cervical mucus plug (operculum) is a plug that fills and seals the cervical canal during pregnancy. It is formed by a small amount of cervical mucus.

effacement

Health care; Childbirth

Effacement is the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery. After the baby has engaged in the pelvis, it gradually drops closer to the cervix; the cervix gradually softens, shortens and ...

station

Health care; Childbirth

Station is the location of the presenting part of the fetus in the birth canal, designated as −5 to −1 according to the number of centimeters the part is above an imaginary plane passing through the ...