Original record maintained by a governmental entity including states, counties, parishes, cities, and/or boroughs that documents an individual’s birth.

1. Male who genetically fathered a child. 2. Identifies the male who is biologically the parent of an adoptee. Also known as biological father . See biological father .

1. Female who genetically births a child. 2. Identifies the female who gave birth to an adoptee. Also known as biological mother, natural mother , or real mother . See biological mother .

Legal state statute to determine coordination of benefits for primary and secondary carriers of dependent children covered under both parents’ insurance plans. The health plan of the parent whose birthday (month and day, not year) falls earlier in the calendar year pays first, and the plan of the other person covering the dependent is the secondary payer. If both policyholders are born on the same day, the policy that has been in force the longest is the primary policy. Birth year has no relevance in this situation. Also called birthday rule .

Facility, other than a hospital’s maternity department or physician’s office, that is owned and operated by obstetricians or nurse midwives and located near a hospital. It is a less expensive alternative to hospitalization and mainly for low-risk deliveries. It provides a setting for labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum newborn care, as well as immediate care of newborn infants.