Puerperium

Kevin Marcial I. Aralar

1st Year Resident
Puerperium
• Latin word
 Puer – child
 Parus – bringing forth

• Time following delivery

• Considered to last between 4 and 6 weeks
The Fourth Trimester
• ACOG promulgated the concept
of “fourth trimester”
 Importance of the 12 weeks
following birth

• Recommended visits:
 Initial – 3 weeks postdelivery
 Final summary – 12 weeks
Reproductive tract involution
Birth canal
• Vagina and outlet
 Diminish in size but rarely regain their nulliparous dimensions
• Rugae
 Begin to reappear by 3rd week
Reproductive tract involution
• Uterus