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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Puerperal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puerperal. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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