What term describes the timeframe surrounding birth, referring specifically to both the mother and the infant?

The term that refers to the timeframe surrounding birth, encompassing both the mother and the infant, is "perinatal." This term defines the period that generally includes the time immediately before and after birth, usually within the range of about 20 weeks of gestation to one to four weeks after delivery. It is a critical timeframe for monitoring the health and development of both the mother and the newborn, as it involves significant physiological and emotional changes.

On the contrary, "postnatal" refers specifically to the period after birth, primarily focusing on the infant's first few weeks, while "prenatal" pertains to the period before birth, concentrating on the mother's health during pregnancy. "Neonatal" is specifically related to the newborn period, generally used to describe the first 28 days of life after birth. These definitions highlight why "perinatal" is the most encompassing term for the timeframe surrounding both the mother and the infant around the time of birth.