A live birth occurs when a fetus, whatever its gestational age, exits the maternal body and subsequently shows any sign of life, such as voluntary movement, heartbeat, or pulsation of the umbilical cord, for however brief a time and regardless of whether the umbilical cord or placenta are intact.

This definition was created by the World Health Organization in 1950 and is chiefly used for public health and statistical purposes. Whether the birth is vaginal or by Caesarean section, and whether the neonate is ultimately viable, is not relevant to this statistical definition.

See also

• Childbirth
• Perinatal death
  • Stillbirth
  • Intrapartum death
  • Neonatal death
    • Sudden infant death syndrome
• Abortion
  • Elective abortion
    • Anomalous pregnancy
      • Ectopic pregnancy
      • Molar pregnancy
  • Spontaneous abortion
• Maternal death

Obstetrics