Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
antepartum
Pronunciation: an-tee-PAR-tum
Occurring during pregnancy, before labor and delivery begins.
Full Definition
Antepartum refers to the period of pregnancy from conception until the onset of labor. This term is commonly used in medical documentation to describe events, complications, or care provided during pregnancy. It encompasses prenatal care, fetal monitoring, and any maternal or fetal conditions that arise before delivery. Medical editors must distinguish this from intrapartum (during labor) and postpartum (after delivery) when reviewing obstetric records and research.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. Distinguish from intrapartum and postpartum in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "The patient experienced antepartum hemorrhage at 32 weeks gestation." — Clinical case report
- "Antepartum fetal surveillance revealed decreased variability in the heart rate tracing." — Medical chart documentation
Also known as
prenatal
antenatal
Contrasted with
postpartum
intrapartum
Don't confuse with
intrapartum
peripartum