prenatal

[pree-neyt-l]

adjective

1. previous to birth or to giving birth.

   prenatal care for mothers.

prenatal

/ priːˈneɪtəl /

adjective

1. occurring or present before birth; during pregnancy

noun

1. informal,  a prenatal examination

prenatal

1. A descriptive term for the period between conception and birth.

Other Word Forms

• prenatally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prenatal¹

First recorded in 1820–30; pre- + natal

Example Sentences

However, HHS regulations issued in 2021 say participating clinics must offer pregnant women information about prenatal care and delivery, infant care, foster care, adoption, and pregnancy termination.

From Salon

These can range from prenatal stress hormones to neighborhood pollutants to the school a child attends.

From Los Angeles Times

He left the impression that research into genetic or prenatal causes will get short shrift in grants from the National Institutes of Health, which comes under his jurisdiction.

From Los Angeles Times

The NIH lists some possible risk factors including prenatal exposure to pesticides or air pollution, premature birth or low birth weight, maternal health problems and parents conceiving at older ages.

From BBC

For Shanya and Leslie, prenatal care and addiction treatment were provided once they were transferred from jail to prison, they said.

From Salon

Related Words

• fetal