puerperium

noun

pu·​er·​pe·​ri·​um ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-əm 

plural puerperia ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-ə 

: the period between childbirth and the return of the uterus to its normal size

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from puerpera

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

puerperium

noun

pu·​er·​pe·​ri·​um ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-əm 

plural puerperia -ē-ə 

: the period between childbirth and the return of the uterus to its normal size