puerperal

adjective

pu·​er·​per·​al pyü-ˈər-p(ə-)rəl 

: of, relating to, or occurring during childbirth or the period immediately following

puerperal infection

puerperal depression

Examples of puerperal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the 19th century, English and Irish physicians recognized that puerperal sepsis (a dangerous infection in a mother after delivery of a baby) was likely a contagious condition that was spread from patient to patient either by the medical staff or the local environment. —Gary Simon, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2023

Adolescent mothers reportedly face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections than older women, and babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022

Pregnant people ages 10 to 19 face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systemic infections compared with women ages 20 to 24, according to the World Health Organization. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 14 July 2022

Later in his career, Knowlton helped figure out what caused puerperal fever, write Baumrin, Cobett and Kulkarni, advancing women's health. —Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, 10 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin puerpera woman in childbirth, from puer child + parere to give birth to — more at pare

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing puerperal

• puerperal fever

Medical Definition

puerperal

adjective

pu·​er·​per·​al pyü-ˈər-p(ə-)rəl 

: of, relating to, or occurring during childbirth or the period immediately following

puerperal infection

puerperal depression