maternity

maternity definition - medical

ma·ter·ni·ty (mə-tûrˈnĭ-tē)

noun
  1. The state of being a mother; motherhood.
  2. The feelings or characteristics associated with being a mother; motherliness.
  3. A maternity ward.
adjective
Relating to pregnancy, childbirth, or the first months of motherhood.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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