perinatal

adjective

peri·​na·​tal ˌper-ə-ˈnā-tᵊl 

: occurring in, concerned with, or being in the period around the time of birth

perinatal mortality

perinatal care

perinatally

ˌper-ə-ˈnā-tᵊl-(l)ē 

adverb

Examples of perinatal in a Sentence

The doctor took steps to prevent perinatal infection.

Recent Examples on the Web

Patrick Clancy relocated and remarried after the deaths of his 3 children, while launching a charity focused on perinatal mental-health care. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Maternal depression Maternal depression is also called postpartum depression, peripartum depression, perinatal depression or just PPD. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Tufts grilled about her experience during trial testimony Tufts' career experience came under question during her testimony, with Reddington probing the doctor about her background in perinatal and postpartum care. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

The program wraps around families fully through home visiting, education, perinatal mental health, nutrition, social needs navigation, lactation support, and high-risk care management. — Ashoka, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perinatal

• antenatal
• hiatal
• neonatal
• datal
• fatal
• nonfatal
• postnatal
• prenatal

Medical Definition

perinatal

adjective

peri·​na·​tal -ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: occurring in, concerned with, or being in the period around the time of birth

perinatal mortality

perinatal care

perinatally

-ᵊl-(l)ē 

adverb