Definition

Noun: A specialized medical facility that provides comprehensive care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period, as well as care for newborn infants.

Usage

A "maternity hospital" is a specific type of hospital. It is used to refer to the institution itself. * The expectant mother was admitted to the maternity hospital two days before her due date. * The city's new maternity hospital has state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care units.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in public health and policy contexts to discuss infrastructure and access to obstetric care.
  • The government's initiative aims to build a maternity hospital in every rural district.

Variants and Related Words

• Maternity Ward (noun): A dedicated section within a general hospital that provides the same services as a maternity hospital.
• Birthing Center (noun): A healthcare facility, often with a more homelike environment, focused on childbirth for low-risk pregnancies. It may be a standalone unit or part of a hospital.
• Lying-in Hospital (noun): An older, now less common term for a maternity hospital.

Synonyms

• Obstetric Hospital (noun): A more clinical synonym emphasizing the medical specialty of obstetrics.
• Women's Hospital (noun): A broader term that may include maternity services among other gynecological and women's health services.

Related Phrases

• To deliver in a maternity hospital: To give birth at such a facility.
  • She chose to deliver in a maternity hospital for access to specialist pediatric care.

Noun

1. a hospital that provides care for women during pregnancy and childbirth and for newborn infants