Word
postnatal
Phoneticspost·na·tal, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌpoʊstˈneɪtəɫ/
UK/pˈəʊstneɪtəl/
Definition
adj. relating to the time just after a baby is born. You use it to talk about the health and care of the mother and baby in those first weeks.
adj. relating to or occurring in the period immediately after childbirth, typically the first six weeks. Often contrasted with prenatal and applied to maternal recovery, infant development, and related medical care.
Examples
“She receives postnatal care at the local clinic.”
“After the birth, the midwife visits the family home to check postnatal recovery and the baby's weight.”
“Postnatal support programmes that combine medical check-ups with mental health screening reduce complications for mothers during the vulnerable weeks following delivery.”
Examples
simple
“She receives postnatal care at the local clinic.”
contextual
“After the birth, the midwife visits the family home to check postnatal recovery and the baby's weight.”
complex
“Postnatal support programmes that combine medical check-ups with mental health screening reduce complications for mothers during the vulnerable weeks following delivery.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “postnatal” in context.
Verb
01. develop postnatal
“She developed postnatal depression after the birth of her son.”
verb + adj
02. diagnose postnatal
“A health visitor can diagnose postnatal depression at the six-week check.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. early postnatal
“Early postnatal visits focus on feeding, sleep and weight gain.”
adj + adj
04. late postnatal
“Late postnatal complications can still need urgent medical attention.”
adj + adj
Noun
05. postnatal care
“Good postnatal care supports both mother and baby.”
adj + noun
06. postnatal checkup
“Don't miss your six-week postnatal checkup at the clinic.”
adj + noun
07. postnatal depression
“Postnatal depression affects around one in ten new mothers.”
adj + noun
08. postnatal period
“The postnatal period lasts about six weeks after birth.”
adj + noun
09. postnatal support
“Community groups offer valuable postnatal support to parents.”
adj + noun
10. attend a postnatal checkup
“All mothers should attend a postnatal checkup six weeks after birth.”
11. be diagnosed with postnatal depression
“She was diagnosed with postnatal depression at her six-week check.”
12. offer postnatal support
“The charity offers free postnatal support to vulnerable families.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun, as in 'postnatal care' or 'postnatal depression'.
Real-World Examples
“Julie Richards, director of the RCM in Wales, said postnatal care for C-sections should include support with pain relief, wound care and surgical recovery, alongside help with feeding and caring for a new baby.” “Sex and relationship therapist Rachel Gold said mothers often expect to become intimate again after their six-week postnatal check.” “Millions of women may suffer from postnatal PTSD every year, but stigma surrounding the condition may lead many to try to hide how they are feeling.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pós Proto-Indo-European *-ti Proto-Indo-European *pós-ti Proto-Italic *posti Latin poste Latin post English post- Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₁tós Proto-Italic *gnātos Latin gnātus Latin nātus Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin nātālisbor. Middle English natal English natal English postnatal From post- + natal. First use appears c. 1831.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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