Pronunciation: [lˈa͡ɪv bˈɜːθ] (IPA) 
Live birth is spelled as /lɪv bɜːθ/. The first syllable 'liv' is pronounced as 'lɪv' which rhymes with 'give'. The second syllable 'birth' is pronounced as 'bɜːθ' which rhymes with 'earth'. The spelling of the word 'live birth' is straightforward and it denotes the act of giving birth to a living child. This term is widely used in medical terminology and is considered an important marker of a healthy childbirth.
Live birth is a term commonly used in the field of biology and medicine to describe the process in which a newborn organism, typically a human baby, is delivered and emerges from the mother's womb with signs of life, such as spontaneous breathing, a beating heart, and muscle movement. It refers to the successful completion of the gestational period where the fetus, after developing within the mother's uterus, is able to survive independently outside the womb.
A live birth occurs when the fetus has reached a stage of maturity capable of autonomous life, typically around the 24th week of gestation. This milestone is characterized by the baby being able to breathe on its own, allowing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and being capable of sustained physiological functions.
Live birth is often distinguished from other modes of reproduction, such as oviparity (the laying of eggs) or ovoviviparity (the hatching of eggs inside the body), where the offspring are not born in a fully developed and independent state. It represents a crucial stage in the life cycle of most mammals, including humans, as it marks the transition from prenatal growth and development to postnatal life and growth.
Live births are widely celebrated events, encompassing various cultural traditions and customs, symbolizing the miracle of life and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the parents and their families.
The word "live birth" can be broken down into two parts: "live" and "birth".
The term "live" originates from the Old English word "līfe", which means "alive" or "living". The etymology of "līfe" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word *libam, meaning "life" or "living".
The term "birth" comes from the Old English word "byrþ", which means "bringing forth of young; act of giving birth". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word *burdi-, meaning "birth".
Therefore, the etymology of the phrase "live birth" suggests that it refers to the process of bringing forth and giving life to a living being.
