PUERPERALISM Meaning and
Definition
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Puerperalism refers to a medical condition or physiological state primarily associated with women during the postpartum period, usually within the first six weeks after giving birth. Derived from the Latin term "puerperium" meaning childbirth, it encompasses the various physical and emotional changes that occur in a woman's body following delivery.
From a physical standpoint, puerperalism includes the involutive changes that happen in the uterus, such as its gradual reduction in size (involution) and the elimination of the endometrium, typically accompanied by lochia (postpartum bleeding). Additionally, it involves the gradual recovery of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems which undergo significant changes during pregnancy.
Emotionally, puerperalism involves psychological adjustments as women adapt to their new role as mothers. This may include but is not limited to mood swings, emotional vulnerability, and hormonal variations due to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels. Puerperalism also covers the more severe condition of postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis, which can have a significant impact on a woman's mental health and require medical intervention.
Overall, puerperalism is a comprehensive term that encompasses the physical and emotional changes experienced by women after childbirth, recognizing the multifaceted nature of this transformative period in a woman's life.
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Any disorder consequent upon childbirth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PUERPERALISM
- puerperalhsm
- puerperali3m
- puerperalicm
- puerperaliqm
- puerperalirm
- puerperalise
- puerperalisi
- puerperaliso
- puerperalisl
- puerpurralism
- pu erperalism
- pue rperalism
- puerpe ralism
- puerper alism
- puerpera lism
- puerperal ism
- puerperali sm
- puerperalis m
Etymology of PUERPERALISM
The word "puerperalism" is derived from the combination of two Latin words: "puerpera" and "-ism".
1. "Puerpera" comes from the Latin word "puerperus", which means "childbirth" or "a woman who has just given birth". The word can be further broken down into "puer" meaning "child" and "parere" meaning "to bring forth" or "to give birth".
2. The suffix "-ism" is added to "puerpera" to form "puerperalism". The suffix "-ism" is derived from the Greek suffix "-ismos", which denotes a characteristic or quality of something.
Thus, "puerperalism" refers to the characteristic or condition associated with childbirth or the postpartum period.
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