The color of lochia in the third week after delivery

Postpartum lochia is a normal metabolism of our pregnant body. Many of our female friends who have just given birth to a baby don’t quite know how to identify their own postpartum lochia. So what is the normal postpartum lochia after giving birth? Let’s take a look together below.

1. First of all, we need to understand that postpartum lochia is also staged and each stage is different. For example, the first stage is within one week after we give birth to the baby. Most of the postpartum lochia is our pregnancy substances, blood clots, etc. There is no need to worry too much if the color is reddish with blood clots.

2. The second stage is the second week after we give birth to the baby. At this time, the lochia is not pure blood. It is usually the necrotic endometrial tissue of our uterus and the mucus color is light pink.

3. The third stage is three or four weeks after giving birth. The lochia at this time is generally milky white. Why is it milky white? Because when the blood clots and endometrial tissue are cleared, only a large number of epidermal cells, decidual tissue, white blood cells, etc. remain, so the color is milky white.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The amount of lochia during these three stages will not be very large, just like when we have our menstruation. If the amount is large and bright red, it may be a disease and we must pay attention to it.

How long does it take for the lochia to be clean after giving birth?

Normally, it takes about 42 days for the lochia of a postpartum woman to be discharged completely. From the first day to 3-7 days, the lochia during this period is bloody and the amount is relatively large, mainly containing blood and some blood clots. In the second stage, the lochia will become serous and last for about 14 days. At this time, the color of the lochia will become lighter and mucus will account for the majority. The third stage is the white lochia stage, which will last about 21 days.

Whether you choose natural birth or caesarean section, the lochia after delivery will be discharged in about 6 weeks. However, there will be some delay due to women's physical reasons. For some women, postpartum lochia will last for one to two months after giving birth, and at most it will stop in about one month. If you still have lochia three months after giving birth, it is considered as residual lochia. You need to go to the hospital for a physical examination. Most of the time, it is caused by cervical disease.

White lochia: thick and white in color. Contains a lot of white blood cell counts, necrotic tissue decidua, epidermal cells and bacteria, etc. The white lochia lasted for 3 weeks. Under normal circumstances, postpartum lochia has a fishy smell but no peculiar smell. It lasts for 4 to 6 weeks, with a total output of about 250Ml-500ml, with great individual differences. By observing the lochia after delivery, paying attention to the changes in its quality and quantity, color and smell, as well as the state of uterine repair, we can understand whether the uterine repair is normal.

Light red in color and contains too much pulp. A small amount of blood, but a large amount of necrotic decidual tissue, cervical mucus, intrauterine exudate, and pathogens. Serous lochia lasts about 10 days, the serum level gradually decreases, the white blood cells increase, and the lochia becomes white lochia.