Lochia, also known as postpartum bleeding, is a normal discharge of blood and mucus from the uterus after childbirth. It begins right after delivery and can continue for four to six weeks postpartum, with the heaviest flow occurring for the first 10 to 14 days. Some women may have a shorter period of discharge, while others may have lochia for slightly longer than four to six weeks. Lochia is similar to menstrual blood, but is typically heavier and lasts quite a bit longer than a normal period. It also contains elements not found in menstrual blood, like remnants from the placenta. As the lochia passes, it may look pink, brown, yellow, or watery. It’s possible that you may see small clots of blood contained in the lochia. As long as these are no larger than a plum and you don’t pass several of them in a 24-hour period, this is normal. If you’re worried at all about a clot you have passed, don’t hesitate to call your provider. For nine months, your uterus has not only housed your baby but your placenta and lots of excess uterine tissue and blood (remember, you weren’t getting a monthly period!). When your baby is born, the uterus sheds all this extra material through postpartum uterine contractions, which are also normal—they help your uterine shrink back down to its normal size.
The uterus is usually about the size of an orange. By the time you deliver your baby, it will have stretched to about 38 centimeters, or in other words, the size of a watermelon. Lochia changes in appearance over time, as the uterus clears out the excess blood and tissue. Typically, you will notice the following pattern:
If you had a cesarean section, you will still have lochia, though it’s possible you may have less of it than if you had a vaginal delivery. After a cesarean procedure, doctors inspect the uterine cavity to be sure all of the placenta has been removed; some of what would traditionally pass later as lochia is often removed as well. Nothing needs to be done to treat lochia. You should not do anything to prevent lochia or stop it from happening—it’s a normal part of your body’s postpartum healing process. By the time your uterus has returned to its normal size, you won’t be passing much lochia anymore (if at all). But it’s important to keep an eye on the lochia and make sure it’s staying within the range of normal. While it's normal to pass a heavy flow of fluid, excessive bleeding, also called postpartum hemorrhage or (PPH) is a cause for concern and should be immediately reported to your doctor. PPH, which is defined as losing over 500 ml of fluid within 24 hours, is a rare but serious condition that occurs in approximately 2% of postpartum women. It primarily happens in the day or so after birth but may occur any time in the first weeks postpartum. Signs of PPH include the following:
These may be signs of infection or hemorrhage, which can be dangerous and should be treated immediately. You should also call your provider if your lochia remains heavy for more than two weeks postpartum, or if you are still having any lochia at all after about eight weeks postpartum.
Generally, if you are exhibiting signs of excessive postpartum bleeding, particularly bleeding that soaks a pad every hour for two hours, you should call your doctor or midwife or go to the emergency room right away. Unfortunately, you can’t make your lochia go away any sooner, but you can do a few things to make life easier while you wait it out.
Thanks for your feedback!
What are your concerns?
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
 After the delivery of a baby, a woman experiences three types of lochia discharge, including lochia rubra, lochia serosa and lochia alba, listed in order of occurrence. Lochia flow is a natural bodily process that rids the uterus of any debris and bacteria remaining after delivery. This process may last up to 6 weeks postpartum. The first stage of the lochia flow process is lochia rubra, a distinctly blood-tinged vaginal discharge, similar to a heavy menstrual period. It lasts up to 4 days postpartum. The second stage is lochia serosa, a pinkish brown, watery discharge lasting up to 10 days after delivery. Lochia serosa consists of mostly white blood cells and other cells from the uterine lining. The final stage of the process is lochia alba, a yellowish or white vaginal discharge that can last four to 6 weeks after a newborn delivery. A postpartum woman should be aware of important facts about lochia flow . Lochia discharge that has a foul-smell or is green in color may indicate infection, and should be checked by a doctor. An increase in lochia flow is slightly heavier after breastfeeding; however, an increase in flow may also indicate a retained placenta or a patient who is not getting enough rest after delivery. If bleeding is abnormally heavy or blood clots are bigger than a golf ball, a woman should seek medical attention immediately, as this can indicate a hemorrhage. |
What are the 3 different types of lochia?
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 SignalDuo Inc.
