[f. as prec. + BIRTH.] The bearing or birth of a child; parturition.
1549. Bk. Com. Prayer, Matrimony Rubric, This prayer folowing shalbe omitted where the woman is past chylde byrth.
1606. Holland, Sueton., 242. An olde Oke … which at 3 childbirths of Vespasia sodainly did put forth every time a several bough.
1779. Johnson, L. P., Milton. She died … of childbirth, or some distemper that followed it.
1876. Green, Short Hist., vii. § 1. Jane Seymour died next year in child-birth.
fig. 1602. 2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., II. vi. (Arb.), 33. I am so great in child-birth with this iest.
