How to Say “To Give Birth” or “Labor” in Spanish

Whether you’re discussing a personal experience, a medical context, or just expanding your vocabulary, knowing how to say “to give birth” and “labor” in Spanish will be invaluable. We’ll cover three main expressions: “dar a luz,” “parto,” and “labor de parto.”

1. “Dar a Luz”

“Dar a luz” is the most common way to say “to give birth” in Spanish. Literally translated, it means “to give light,” which beautifully captures the moment of bringing a new life into the world.

Examples:

• Ella dio a luz a un hermoso bebé anoche.
  (She gave birth to a beautiful baby last night.)
• La madre está emocionada por dar a luz.
  (The mother is excited to give birth.)

2. “Parto”

“Parto” refers specifically to “birth” or “childbirth” and is often used in medical or formal contexts. It denotes the process of labor and delivery.

Examples:

• El parto fue rápido y sin complicaciones.
  (The birth was quick and without complications.)
• Asistieron al parto varias enfermeras y un médico.
  (Several nurses and a doctor attended the childbirth.)

3. “Labor de Parto”

“Labor de parto” translates directly to “labor” and refers to the labor process. This term is used when talking about the stages leading up to the actual delivery.

Examples:

• La mujer comenzó la labor de parto a medianoche.
  (The woman started labor at midnight.)
• Durante la labor de parto, el equipo médico monitorea el progreso cuidadosamente.
  (During labor, the medical team carefully monitors the progress.)

Contextual Usage and Nuances

Understanding the context in which these terms are used is crucial for proper communication:

• “Dar a luz” is often used in personal or less formal contexts, capturing the emotional and significant aspect of birth.
• “Parto” is more clinical, used to describe the event of childbirth in a straightforward manner.
• “Labor de parto” is specific to the labor process, often used in medical settings or when discussing the stages of childbirth.

Additional Expressions

To further enrich your vocabulary, here are a few related phrases and their uses:

• “Embarazo” – Pregnancy
  • Ella tuvo un embarazo saludable.
    (She had a healthy pregnancy.)
• “Contracciones” – Contractions
  • Las contracciones comenzaron temprano en la mañana.
    (The contractions began early in the morning.)
• “Nacimiento” – Birth
  • El nacimiento fue una experiencia inolvidable.
    (The birth was an unforgettable experience.)

Practice using these terms in sentences to get comfortable with their meanings and contexts. Whether you’re talking about a friend’s pregnancy, reading a medical article, or watching a documentary, these expressions will help you communicate more effectively and understand more deeply.