nasc-, nat-

We are not born for ourselves.

1. Occurring during or pertaining to the phase surrounding the time of birth, from the twentieth week of gestation to the twenty-eighth day of newborn life: The time of perinatal life for a newborn can be problematic for both the baby and the mother and care should be provided for such cases.

The perinatal period is defined in various ways. Depending on the definition, it starts at the 20th to 28th week of gestation and ends one to four weeks after birth.
2. Etymology: The word perinatal is a hybrid of the Greek "peri-" meaning "around or about" and "natal" from the Latin "natus" meaning "born."

Referring to how the issues surrounding the time of childbirth or the birth of an animal are presented or exist: Lisa was perinatally cared for just before her baby was born at the hospital.

The studies showed that some mice died perinatally because of a strange virus.

An obstetrical expert or subspecialist concerned with the care of the mother and fetus at higher-than-normal risk for complications: Because Rose was older than normal for expecting her first baby, she was cared for by a perinatologist in the hospital, who made sure that she received any medical treatment necessary before giving birth to her newborn.

A perinatologist logically could be an obstetrician or pediatrician, but in practice, a perinatologist is an obstetrician.

The comparable area of pediatrics is neonatology. A high-risk baby might be cared for by a perinatologist before birth and by a neonatologist after birth.

1. A subspecialty of obstetrics concerned with the care of the mother and fetus at higher-than-normal risk for complications: Since Kitty loved babies and little children she decided to study perinatology and work as a doctor later on.

Since the perinatal period, depending on the definition, starts at the 20th to 28th week of gestation and ends one to four weeks after birth, perinatology logically could be an obstetrical and pediatric subspecialty, but in practice, it is part of obstetrics.

The comparable area of pediatrics is "neonatology". A high-risk baby might be cared for by a "perinatologist" before birth and by a "neonatologist" after birth.
2. Etymology: The word perinatology is a linguistic combination of the Greek peri-, "around" or "about" plus natal from the Latin natus, "born" plus ology from the Greek logos, "treatise" or "study of".

Greek: Graces (goddesses); Aglaia (brilliance); Euphrosyne (joy); Thalia (bloom)
Latin: (no equivalent goddess)

Pertaining to the time following the birth of a baby: After coming home from the hospital with her newborn, Jenifer experienced a phase of postnatal depression.

The condition of bearing a developing fetus in the uterus: Josephine's mother said that her pregnancy lasted 9 months before giving birth to her.

While going through pregnancy, Mike's cat became fatter and fatter and finally she had 4 little kittens!

Pertaining to a woman who has a developing child within her body; expectant: Jane went to her doctor for a regular check-up and found out that she was pregnant and would have a baby in about 9 months!

Referring to how something ensues in an open or expressive way: When Adam made his speech to the congregation, he paused pregnantly after each word trying to emphasize his message.

Concerning the preparations a pregnant woman or her unborn baby might need: Lucy Timmons decided to attend a prenatal yoga class each evening in advance of giving birth.

Lucy's friend wanted to take prenatal vitamins to make sure she was getting the best nutrition for her new baby.

1. Descriptive of something that is beyond what is normal, usual, or ordinary: Pamela was having preternatural dreams that made her wake up and have difficulty going back to sleep.
2. Etymology: from Latin praeternaturalis, "beyond nature" from prae-, "before" + naturam "nature, natural" © ALL rights are reserved.
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Describing how something or someone is very mysterious, mystic, miraculous, or ghostly; beyond what could be logical or normal: Celia was preternaturally gorgeous, and no other girl in school could match her beauty.

Descriptive of how a person does something that is inferior in importance or significance: in a feeble or inferior fashion: Quite grumpy and cross, Sam punily submitted to mop the floor following the accident in the kitchen.

1. The state of being unimportant and petty or frivolous: In comparison to the whole universe, the puniness of one's own existence can be termed as insignificant or trivial.
2. Smallness of stature or size: The little old lady was almost overlooked because of her puniness!