The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ANTENATAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
N
T
E
N
A
T
A
L
More clues leading to the result ANTENATAL
- Worker, way back, engaging volunteers before delivery
- Before giving birth in old part of South Africa, the bet was on
- An aquatic bird absorbing backbeat before birth
- Expecting a fresh tenant, a Liberal
- Article shaping a talent prior to delivery
- Social worker, woman, having short chat before the baby’s born
- Unlimited ridicule attached to a former South African province before birth
- Sort of lanate underside to insect before birth
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "before delivery" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case before delivery = antenatal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ANTENATAL mean?
ANTENATAL adjective- Occurring or existing before birth