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perinatology

perinatology

9.9
A branch of medicine that cares for mothers and babies before and after birth, especially in high-risk pregnancies
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛrəˈneɪtələdʒi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : perinatología
  • During her pregnancy, she received exceptional care from the perinatology team, who monitored her high-risk condition closely.

Examples

  • The perinatology clinic focuses on providing support to families experiencing complications during pregnancy.

  • "We had a perinatology specialist come in and help establish protocol to ensure that no one who shouldn't be at the birth center was there."

    Academic text (1997)
  • Little, G.A. (2004). Parents of multiples and decision-making. Journal of Perinatology, 24, 2-3.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The doctor recommended a consultation with a perinatology specialist to ensure the health of both the mother and the unborn baby.

How Specialized

neonatology
  • Specialized
1 7.7
perinatology
  • Specialized
9.9
obstetrics
  • Specialized
13 4.4
general practitioner
  • Specialized
7 2.7

Surface Forms

perinatology singular

Morphology

perinatology = perinatal (semi-transparent) = peri + nat + ology

The word is clearly built on the specialized base adjective 'perinatal' plus '-ology' ('study of'), but the medical base term is not likely to be familiar to an average learner.

Etymology

The word perinatology breaks into peri- meaning 'around', natal meaning 'birth', and -ology meaning 'study', as in perimeter and prenatal. So perinatology is the medical study of the time around birth, caring for the mother and baby just before and after birth.