woman in childbirth; woman about to give birth; woman who has just given birth
Refers to a woman during labor, immediately before delivery, or in the early postpartum period. Often used in medical, hospital, or news settings.
The woman in labor was taken to the delivery room.
産婦のための栄養指導が行われた。
Nutritional guidance was provided for women who have just given birth.
産婦 refers to a woman who is giving birth or has just given birth, while 妊婦 refers to a woman who is still carrying the pregnancy.
Compound of 産 (san, 'birth') and 婦 (fu, 'woman'). The reading is on'yomi. The term is straightforward and modern.