childbirth

(noun)

The fact or action of giving birth to a child, as the culmination of pregnancy.

Related Terms

Examples of childbirth in the following topics:

  • Pelvic Structure and Childbearing

    • The human pelvis has evolved to be narrow enough for efficient upright locomotion, while still being wide enough to facilitate childbirth.
    • Since the pelvis is vital for both efficient locomotion and childbirth, natural selection has been forced to strike a compromise between a wide pelvis to facilitate birthing large-brained infants and having a narrow pelvis to increase locomotive efficiency.
    • Thus, the female pelvis has evolved to be as wide as possible, to make childbirth easier, without becoming so wide as to make bipedal locomotion too inefficient .
    • Additionally, the female pubic symphysis, which is the cartilaginous joint connecting the left and right side of the pelvis, is remodeled by hormones released during pregnancy, allowing it to stretch during childbirth.
    • Male pelves are not constrained by the issue of childbirth, and thus are narrower and more optimal for bipedal locomotion.

  • Dystocia and Cesarean Section

    • Dystocia is an abnormal or difficult childbirth or labor that may be resolved by manipulation, forceps, suction, or by cesarean section.
    • Dystocia is an abnormal or difficult childbirth or labor.
    • Synonyms for dystocia include difficult labor, abnormal labor, difficult childbirth, abnormal childbirth, and dysfunctional labor.
    • More recently, it has been performed upon request for childbirths that may otherwise have been natural.

  • Vagina

    • The vagina is the female reproductive tract and has two primary functions: sexual intercourse and childbirth.
    • The vagina, a female sex organ, is a fibromuscular tubular tract that has two main functions: sexual intercourse and childbirth.
    • It can also be ruptured by childbirth, a pelvic examination, injury, or sports.
    • The vagina's primary functions are sexual arousal and intercourse as well as childbirth.
    • The vagina is often referred to as the birth canal in the context of pregnancy and childbirth.

  • Comparison of Female and Male Pelves

    • The female pelvis has evolved to its maximum width for childbirth and the male pelvis has been optimized for bipedal locomotion.
    • The female pelvis has evolved to its maximum width for childbirth—a wider pelvis would make women unable to walk.

  • Oxytocin and Childbirth

    • Outline the phases of childbirth and the role played by oxytocin in them

  • Episiotomy

    • It is one of the most common medical procedures performed on women, although its routine use in childbirth has steadily declined in recent decades,
    • Vaginal tears can occur during childbirth, most often at the vaginal opening as the baby's head passes through, especially if the baby descends quickly.
    • Some childbirth facilities have a policy of routine episiotomy.

  • Pineal Gland and Gonads

    • The ovaries produce hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which cause secondary sex characteristics and prepare the body for childbirth.
    • The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones responsible for the development of sexual characteristics in females and the preparation of female bodies for pregnancy and childbirth.

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

    • Some STIs can also be transmitted via the use of IV drug needles after its use by an infected person, as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding.
    • The transfer of, and exposure to, bodily fluids, such as blood transfusions and other blood products, shared injection needles, needle-stick injuries (when medical staff are inadvertently jabbed or pricked with needles during medical procedures), shared tattoo needles, and childbirth are other avenues of transmission.

  • Perineum

    • Perineal tears and episiotomy often occur in childbirth with first-time deliveries, but the risk of these injuries can be reduced by preparing the perineum through massage.

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Reproductive System

    • Prolactin stimulates the production of milk by the mammary glands, following childbirth.
    • The posterior pituitary releases the hormone oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth.
    • Stretching of tissues in the uterus and cervix stimulates oxytocin release during childbirth.