afterbirth

American  

[af-ter-burth, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌbɜrθ, ˈɑf- /

noun

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

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afterbirth British  

/ ˈɑːftəˌbɜːθ /

noun

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

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afterbirth Scientific  

/ ăf′tər-bûrth′ /

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

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Etymology

Origin of afterbirth

First recorded in 1580–90; after + birth

Example Sentences

Because they feed primarily on cow afterbirth and calf carcasses, they help clean up messes and reduce labor time.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2023

“It was years later,” says Reed-Allen now living in Urbana, Md., “when I realized afterbirth had been left inside me and that I could have died.”

From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2021

She held on to this beautiful thought and the sound of her daughter snuffling as the pains of expelling the afterbirth came.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2018

During the three days I spend there, it smells strongly of afterbirth and the floor is flecked with blood and dirt.

From The Guardian • Oct. 2, 2017

I called the grandmother, who had been taking care of the boy, to get me blankets and see to the afterbirth.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson