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

Many perinatal mental health professionals are trained to treat new dads, and there are many who specialize in paternal mental health. —Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

This ranking highlights 444 maternity hospitals across the U.S. based on hospital quality metrics, patient experience surveys and recommendations from health care professionals across the nation, including neonatal and perinatal doctors, nurses and midwives. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Make family life more affordable by fully funding perinatal care programs, housing assistance and day care programs. —Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Community support and creative outlets reduce perinatal mental health symptoms and help achieve this. —Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perinatal

• antenatal
• neonatal
• datal
• fatal
• hiatal
• 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