Understanding Lochia

A pregnant woman’s blood volume increases by up to 50% in pregnancy. Lochia represents the release of this excess, and a powerful opportunity to shed toxins from the body. Lochia is normal uterine discharge following birth, which consists of blood, decidual tissue from your uterus, and mucus. It is your body’s way of clearing out blood, tissue, and fluids from pregnancy, and is similar to a long period, but it changes in color, flow, and consistency over time.

The 3 Stages of Lochia

1) Lochia Rubra (Days 1-3 to up to 14):

• Bright red, heavier flow (like a period)

• May contain small clots

• Mild cramping as uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size

2) Lochia Serosa (Days 4-10):

• Pinkish or brown-tinged discharge

• Lighter flow

• Less cramping

3) Lochia Alba (Days 10 up to 6 weeks):

• Creamy white or yellow discharge

• Much lighter flow

How Long Does it Last?

The median duration of lochia is 27-37 days, but it can range to over 40 days. If you are breastfeeding, it follows the more classic progression and sometimes leads to shorter duration, while having more pregnancies and not breastfeeding may prolong the rubra phase.

What is Normal Lochia?

• Bleeding that gradually lightens over time

• Smaller clots with size of less than a quarter

• Discharge with mild-menstrual like odor

• Flow may increase with temporary activity, like breastfeeding or standing up after resting

Note that some women may experience a brief increase in bleeding around day 40 signifying the end of their postpartum lochia

When to Seek Help and Contact Your Provider

• Soaking more than 1 pad in hour

• Passing clots larger than a golf ball

• Foul smelling discharge

• Sudden return to heavy bright red bleeding after it has lightened

• Fevers, chills, or severe abdominal pain

These findings can signify an infection, retained products in the uterus from your pregnancy, or a blood clotting disorder. It’s important to recognize every mom’s healing is unique as some may bleed for only 2 weeks, while others notice lochia up to 6 weeks. Don’t hesitate to reach out if something feels off to you.

Self-Care Tips to Help Support Your Body with Postpartum Blood Loss

• Utilize pads only until provider clears you for tampons or menstrual cups to prevent infection.

• Rest and take it easy especially the first 6 weeks.

• Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas like nettles, oat straw, or red raspberry leaf tea. Explore some hydration recipes within the Nourishment pillar.

• Consider timing the intake of caffeine-containing beverages, such as tea and coffee, away from times of intaking iron rich foods (especially non-heme iron food sources) and iron supplementation, as caffeine can substantially lower iron absorption

• Nourish yourself with heme-iron rich foods (meat, fish, poultry, beef liver) if possible, but if restricting these foods opt for the non-heme iron rich foods like dried or canned peas and beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, kale, collard, spinach, flax seeds, and hemp seeds. Check out more nutrition ideas within the Nourishment pillar.

Disclaimer: The information on Mone does not replace professional medical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Please seek medical advice from your physician or other qualified health care providers.