Meaning & use

postnatal

adjective·Academic

Relating to the period immediately following childbirth, especially concerning the mother or newborn's health.

See it in a sentence

The clinic offers postnatal checkups to monitor both mother and baby.

She experienced postnatal exhaustion during the first few weeks after giving birth.

A note on using this word

American English sometimes uses 'postpartum' instead, especially for the mother's own recovery and mental health.

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