postpartum

adjective

post·​par·​tum ˌpōs(t)-ˈpär-təm 

1

: occurring in or being the period following childbirth

a postpartum hemorrhage

postpartum care

see also postpartum blues, postpartum depression

2

: being in or used in the postpartum period

postpartum mothers

postpartum adverb

an infection occurring three weeks postpartum

Examples of postpartum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here's what could happen after the jury returns a decision in the case, which has put a spotlight on postpartum mental health. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Many women say Clancy’s case reflects how postpartum mental illness and broader mental health concerns are dismissed, using the rally to demand better care and attention for mothers. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Lindsay Clancy's murder trial in Massachusetts has thrust postpartum mental health into the national spotlight, but not as a cautionary tale about rare psychiatric breaks. — John Samuels, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

In postpartum psychiatry, clinicians usually must make critical decisions without comparable objective tools. — Jamie Maguire, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the Latin phrase post partum "after childbirth," from post "after" + partum, accusative of partus "act of giving birth, childbirth," from parere "to give birth to, bring into being" + -tus, suffix of verbal nouns — more at post-, parturient entry 1

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing postpartum

• postpartum blues
• postpartum depression

Rhymes for postpartum

• antepartum
• intrapartum

Medical Definition

postpartum

1 of 2 adjective

post·​par·​tum (ˈ)pōst-ˈpärt-əm 

1

: occurring in or being the period following childbirth

a postpartum hemorrhage

postpartum care

see also postpartum blues, postpartum depression

2

: being in or used in the postpartum period

postpartum mothers

postpartum hospital rooms

postpartum

2 of 2 adverb

: after childbirth

a blood sample taken 14 days postpartum

an infection occurred three weeks postpartum