Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Antepartum
The period of pregnancy before the onset of labor; prenatal period.
Full Definition
Antepartum refers to the time period during pregnancy from conception until the beginning of labor. This term is commonly used in medical documentation and patient records to distinguish prenatal care and complications from those occurring during labor (intrapartum) or after delivery (postpartum). Editors should note this is always written as one word and is preferred over 'prenatal' in formal medical contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred over 'prenatal' in formal medical documentation.
In Context
- "The patient received regular antepartum care throughout her pregnancy." — Medical record
- "Antepartum hemorrhage was ruled out following the ultrasound examination." — Clinical documentation
Also known as
prenatal
antenatal
Contrasted with
intrapartum
postpartum
Don't confuse with
antenatal