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

In recent months, attitudes around postpartum depression have shifted, and the condition has been discussed more urgently than perhaps ever before.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Several new mothers battled what looked like postpartum depression.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

Not every mother struggles in the postpartum period.

From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026

Psychiatrist Avram Mack later testified that the American Psychiatric Association did not recognise postpartum psychosis as a diagnosis.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

She had probably had postpartum depression at the very least, Mia realized, perhaps even a postpartum psychotic break.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng