postpartum

adjective
post·​par·​tum | \ ˌpōs(t)-ˈpär-təm How to pronounce postpartum (audio) \

Definition of postpartum

1 : occurring in or being the period following childbirth postpartum depression
2 : being in or used in the postpartum period postpartum mothers

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Other Words from postpartum

postpartum adverb

Examples of postpartum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last month, the comedian also celebrated another milestone in her postpartum journey: getting her period again. Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Amy Schumer Calls Parenting 'Nuts': 'I Want to Recommend Being a Parent If You Can'," 10 Aug. 2019 Extensive postpartum evaluation, whether immediately after or in subsequent pregnancies, can be costly as doctors try to prevent stillbirth from recurring. Joni Hess, Vox, "From diagnostics to autopsy to burial, stillbirths are alarmingly expensive in America," 30 July 2019 The play is supposed to be about postpartum depression, but the exact reason for the character's behavior is never revealed. Manuel Mendoza, Dallas News, "Dallas theater festival deals with mental illness and other issues facing us in these anxious times," 18 July 2019 Opening up about the multitude of ways that having children has transformed her life, the 31-year-old supermodel is pulling back the curtains on her battle with postpartum depression in a new essay. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Supermodel Behati Prinsloo Opens Up About Suffering from Postpartum Depression," 20 June 2019 That includes postpartum depression, which can last a year after a woman gives birth. Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "There's a new drug for postpartum depression, but wait till you see the price tag," 20 June 2019 Jayapal developed postpartum depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Anna North, Vox, "Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s story counters misconceptions about who gets abortions," 14 June 2019 As troubling as postpartum complications like mine are, the risks associated with premature delivery mean expecting mothers dealing with severe gallstone pain face a doubly hard situation. Kate Wehr, Good Housekeeping, "Gallstones Are the Pregnancy Complication No One Warned Me About," 18 Apr. 2019 The Cut spoke to a first-time mom about her experience of postpartum psychosis. Alexa Tsoulis-reay, The Cut, "I Was Convinced I Might Kill My Child," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'postpartum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of postpartum

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for postpartum

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

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More Definitions for postpartum

postpartum

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of postpartum

medical : relating to or happening in the period of time following the birth of a child

postpartum

adjective
post·​par·​tum | \ (ˈ)pōst-ˈpärt-əm How to pronounce postpartum (audio) \

Medical Definition of postpartum

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : occurring in or being the period following childbirth postpartum depression
2 : being in or used in the postpartum period postpartum mothers postpartum hospital rooms

postpartum

adverb

Medical Definition of postpartum (Entry 2 of 2)

: after childbirth a blood sample taken 14 days postpartum an infection occurred three weeks postpartum