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.

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

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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.

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

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

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