Everything You Need To Know About Lochia

Lochia

Lochia is a process of vaginal discharge, which occurs first fortnight in any mother after labour such vaginal discharge is known as lochia discharge. Actually during pregnancy the decidua continuously group. After labour when estrogen and progesterone hormone level is very low in mother's blood, then cells and glands of decidua starts to shed off.

These decidual cells and glands occurs as vaginal discharge, which is known as lochia.


Characteristics of lochia

• Duration
1 to 15th day of pueperium
• Amount
500ml
• Smell
Offensive
• Colour
According to the colour of discharge lochia can be divided into three parts, which are as follows--

1. Lochia Rubra
2. Lochia Serosa
3. Lochia Alba


1. Lochia Rubra

It is red coloured discharge of lochia, which occurs for first four days. Lochia rubra is about 250ml, which contains red blood cells (RBCs), decidual cells, decidual glands, WBC, vernix, lanugo etc.


2. Lochia serosa

It is yellow pink colour of discharge lochia, which occurs from 3 to 9th day of pueperium. It contains-- WBC, plus cells, decidual cells, decidual glands, few RBCs.


3. Lochia Alba

It is white pale coloured discharge of lochia which occurs from 10 to 15th day of pueperium. Lochia alba contains-- WBC, fibrous tissue, few pus cells etc.


Clinical Significance

If amount, duration, colour or smell of lochial discharge is disturb, then it indicates uterine infection in mother.