puerperium

[ pyoo-er-peer-ee-uhm ]

nounObstetrics.
  1. the four-week period following childbirth.

Origin of puerperium

1
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

Words Nearby puerperium

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How to use puerperium in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for puerperium

puerperium

/ (pjʊəˈpɪərɪəm) /


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

Origin of puerperium

1
C17: from Latin: childbirth, from puerperus relating to a woman in labour, from puer boy + parere to bear

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