postnatal

adjective

post·​na·​tal ˌpōs(t)-ˈnā-tᵊl How to pronounce postnatal (audio)
: occurring or being after birth
specifically : of or relating to an infant immediately after birth
postnatal care
postnatally adverb

Examples of postnatal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pre- and postnatal massages at Red Moon Wellness in Park Slope are a staple in the Brooklyn-mom whisper network. The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026 That’s the only drama at the party, other than Nia having to go to the party bus to feed her baby, sporting the world’s most adorable postnatal faux-hawk. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 In Alabama, meanwhile, a lawsuit that has been ongoing since 2023 challenges a regulation requiring birth centers — facilities where midwives oversee deliveries and administer pre- and postnatal care — to be licensed as hospitals. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026 The policies vary, but most states provide some amount of prenatal and postnatal coverage, and hospitals can be reimbursed for births as well. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for postnatal

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of postnatal was circa 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Postnatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postnatal. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

postnatal

adjective
post·​na·​tal (ˈ)pōs(t)-ˈnāt-ᵊl How to pronounce postnatal (audio)
: following birth
also : of or relating to a newborn child
postnatal care

Medical Definition

postnatal

adjective
post·​na·​tal (ˈ)pōst-ˈnāt-ᵊl How to pronounce postnatal (audio)
: occurring or being after birth
specifically : of or relating to an infant immediately after birth
postnatal care
compare intranatal, neonatal, prenatal
postnatally adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster