Puerperal
[pyoo-ER-per-əl]
Part of speech: adjective
Origin: Latin, early 18th century
1.
During or relating to the period of about six weeks after childbirth during which the mother's reproductive organs return to their original nonpregnant condition.
Examples of Puerperal in a sentence
"Therese and her baby had a lot of support during the puerperal period."
"The OB/GYN instructed the couple to check in often during the puerperal period."
About Puerperal
Puerperal comes from the Latin words "puer" (child) and "para" (bearing) — translating to "woman who has given birth."
Did you Know?
The six weeks following childbirth are important for both parents to bond with their baby and recover. For this reason, many countries offer paid maternal and paternal leave for a minimum of six weeks. Some countries, such as New Zealand, offer 18 weeks or more.
