puerperium

[ pyoo-er-peer-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Obstetrics.

1. the four-week period following childbirth.

puerperium

/ pjʊəˈpɪərɪəm /

noun

1. the period following childbirth, lasting approximately six weeks, during which the uterus returns to its normal size and shape

Word History and Origins

Origin of puerperium¹

1885–90; < Latin: childbirth, childbed, equivalent to puerper ( us ) of a woman in labor ( puer boy, child + -perus bringing forth, akin to parere to bear, breed) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of puerperium¹

C17: from Latin: childbirth, from puerperus relating to a woman in labour, from puer boy + parere to bear

Example Sentences

These deaths are defined as “due to complications of pregnancy, labor, delivery, or puerperium,” the weeks following birth when a mother’s organs are returning to normal.

From Washington Times

In some countries of Malaysia the oil is used in the same way especially in beriberi and the periarticular inflammations incident to puerperium.

From Project Gutenberg

Sunshine and95 fresh air are wonderful health restorers as is also a well-directed cold water friction bath administered near the close of the second week of a normal puerperium.

From Project Gutenberg

If the labour is normal and the puerperium uncomplicated, the number of leucocytes regains the normal in about a week.

From Project Gutenberg

Walters looked into the statistics of such cases and found 36 accidental removals of the uterus in the puerperium with 14 recoveries.

From Project Gutenberg