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

A couple of weeks later, Lindsay Clancy, apparently suffering from a postpartum mental disorder, strangled her three children to death and leapt from a window at her Duxbury home. —Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023

As a result of the policy, the Etowah County Detention Center often holds several pregnant and postpartum women in the jail, against the advice of experts on maternal and fetal health. —al, 7 Sep. 2022

As outlined by American Progress, the same concern is not extended to those who need postpartum mental health assistance, health care, affordable child care and paid family leave. —Brooklyn White, Essence, 2 May 2022

Doulas provide nonclinical care to pregnant and postpartum individuals. —Katie Lobosco and Tami Luhby, CNN, 7 Dec. 2021

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