Lewis & Short

pŭerpĕrus, a, um, adj. [puer-pario],

  1. I. parturient, bringing forth children: uxor, Sen. Ben. 4, 35, 2: verba, formulas that promote delivery, Ov. M. 10, 511.
  2. II. Subst.: pŭerpĕra, ae, f., a woman in labor or in childbed, a lying-in woman, Plaut. Am. 5, 1, 40; Cat. 34, 13; Hor. Epod. 17, 52; Ter. Ad. 5, 7, 23; Plin. 7, 4, 3, § 37.