prenatal
gb/pɹinˈeɪtəl/ us/pɹinˈeɪtəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
before a baby is born
Prenatal things happen or are used before a baby is born.
Usage pattern:
prenatal [care/test/class/development/exposure]
Common mistake:
Do not usually use prenatal to describe the pregnant person; say a pregnant woman or pregnant person, not a prenatal woman.
Synonyms
antenatal (Very close synonym, especially common in British English and medical contexts.)
|
before-birth (Plain descriptive equivalent; less natural as an everyday adjective.)
|
in utero (More technical; specifically means while in the womb.)
Antonyms
postnatal (Relating to the period after birth.)
|
postpartum (After childbirth, especially relating to the mother or birthing parent.)
Collocations
prenatal care
|prenatal vitamins
|prenatal testing
|prenatal screening
|prenatal diagnosis
|prenatal appointment
|prenatal class
|prenatal development
|prenatal exposure
|prenatal health
Themes
pregnancy
|healthcare
|babies
|medicine
Examples
- She started prenatal care as soon as she found out she was pregnant.
- The study looked at how prenatal exposure to smoke affects children later in life.
- The hospital offers prenatal classes for first-time parents.
Learner examples
- Prenatal tests check the baby before birth.
- My doctor recommended a prenatal vitamin.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prenatal
IPA
GB/pɹinˈeɪtəl/
US/pɹinˈeɪtəl/
Syllables & stress
pren - at - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (at)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: prenatal
Expressions
prenatal appointment
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl əpˈɔɪntmənt/
fixed phrase
pregnancy medical visit
A doctor or midwife visit during pregnancy.
Examples
- At her prenatal appointment, the nurse checked her blood pressure.
- The clinic schedules prenatal appointments every four weeks early in pregnancy.
- He went with his partner to the prenatal appointment.
prenatal care
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
medical care during pregnancy
Medical care for a pregnant person before the baby is born.
Examples
- Regular prenatal care can help doctors detect problems early.
- She had her first prenatal care appointment at eight weeks.
- Access to prenatal care is important for both parent and baby.
prenatal class
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl klˈæs/
fixed phrase
birth preparation class
A class that helps parents prepare for birth and a new baby.
Examples
- They signed up for a prenatal class at the hospital.
- The prenatal class covered labor, feeding, and newborn care.
- Many prenatal classes include breathing techniques and birth planning.
prenatal development
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
fixed phrase
growth before birth
The way a baby grows before it is born.
Examples
- Nutrition can affect prenatal development.
- The course begins with prenatal development and continues through early childhood.
- Researchers study how stress may influence prenatal development.
prenatal exposure
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl ɪkspˈoʊʒɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
exposure before birth
When a developing baby is affected by something before birth.
Examples
- The researchers studied prenatal exposure to air pollution.
- Doctors warn that prenatal exposure to alcohol can harm a baby's development.
- The report linked prenatal exposure to high stress with later health risks.
prenatal testing
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl tˈɛstɪŋ/
fixed phrase
testing before birth
Tests done during pregnancy to check the baby before birth.
Examples
- Prenatal testing can look for certain genetic conditions.
- They spoke with a genetic counselor before deciding on prenatal testing.
- The clinic explained the benefits and limits of prenatal testing.
prenatal vitamin
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl vˈaɪtəmən/
fixed phrase
vitamin for pregnancy
A vitamin made for pregnancy.
Examples
- Her doctor recommended a prenatal vitamin with folic acid.
- Many people start taking prenatal vitamins before they become pregnant.
- He picked up prenatal vitamins from the pharmacy for his partner.
prenatal yoga
1/pɹinˈeɪtəl jˈoʊɡə/
fixed phrase
pregnancy yoga practice
Gentle yoga for pregnant people.
Examples
- Prenatal yoga classes focus on gentle movement and breathing.
- She asked her doctor whether prenatal yoga was safe for her.
- The community center offers prenatal yoga twice a week.