'afterbirth' originates from Middle English, specifically the combination of 'after' and 'birth', where 'after' meant 'following' and 'birth' referred to the act of being born.

'afterbirth' changed from the Middle English term 'afterberth' and eventually became the modern English word 'afterbirth'.

Initially, it meant 'the act of being born following the main birth', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'placenta and fetal membranes expelled after birth'.