afterbirth

[ af-ter-burth, ahf- ]

noun

1. the placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus after childbirth.

afterbirth

/ ˈɑːftəˌbɜːθ /

noun

1. the placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus after the birth of the offspring

afterbirth

/ ăf′tər-bûrth′ /

1. The placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus following the birth of a mammal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of afterbirth¹

First recorded in 1580–90; after + birth

Example Sentences

Crown emerges from the bedroom with a pair of flat black slacks, the cloudy detritus of afterbirth splayed across the seat.

From The Daily Beast

My face actually looked like it was covered in alien afterbirth.

From The Daily Beast

The afterbirth, together with the umbilical cord, is nearly always buried under the house.

From Project Gutenberg

In natural labor, the expulsion of the afterbirth occurs from within a few minutes to an hour after the delivery of the child.

From Project Gutenberg

The afterbirth is not firmly attached to the womb, but is like the peel of an orange which Nature sloughs off in due time.

From Project Gutenberg

In a short time, a gradual contraction of the womb takes place, and the cleansings (afterbirth) are discharged.

From Project Gutenberg

All the pots are placed near the spot where the afterbirth was buried.

From Project Gutenberg