postpartum

American  

[pohst-pahr-tuhm] / poʊstˈpɑr təm /

adjective

1. of or noting the period of time following childbirth; after delivery.

   I suffered from postpartum depression with my first child.

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adverb

1. in the period of time following childbirth; after delivery.

   Her passion as a physiotherapist is motivating women to regain their strength and fitness postpartum.

postpartum British  

/ pəʊstˈpɑːtəm /

adjective

1. med following childbirth

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Etymology

Origin of postpartum

First recorded in 1840–50; from New Latin post partum “after childbirth”; post post- + partum, accusative of partus “a bringing forth,” equivalent to par(ere) “to bear ” ( see parturient) + -tus suffix of verbal action

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

postpartum

On Wednesday, Morissette appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and told host Alex Cooper that she experienced postpartum depression after giving birth to each of children, and that the condition worsened each time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Not every mother struggles in the postpartum period.

From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026

But some of them seemed to dispute the defence's claim that postpartum psychosis - a rare post-childbirth condition characterised by mania and depression - precluded Clancy from criminal liability.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

Defense attorneys argued she did so in the midst of severe postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors contended she acted with clear intent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

The inability of many poor women to get adequate health care, including prenatal and postpartum care, has been a serious problem in this country for decades.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson