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.

Derived Forms

• preˈnatally, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·natal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prenatal¹

First recorded in 1820–30; pre- + natal

Example Sentences

The resulting lack of consistent treatment to patients from any given hospital makes it difficult for hospital-based pregnancy programs to capture the true burden of prenatal and postpartum challenges that these patients experience.

From Science Daily

It found that prenatal exposure to THC causes a rewiring of the fetal brain.

From Science Daily

In Skelton’s study, this stigma often prevented mothers from seeking prenatal care or communicating with their provider, which is known to have negative impacts on outcomes like birthweight.

From Salon

A larger study published last year followed more than 2,000 children in Australia over five years and found no associations between prenatal fluoride exposure and behavioral development problems.

From Los Angeles Times

It is unacceptable for the U.S. to sit back and watch as children in the region starve and pregnant women struggle to find prenatal care because of our weapons.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fetal