How many days does it usually take for a woman’s lochia to clear up after she’s given birth?

After a woman gives birth, some of the decidua on the placenta begin to fall off gradually, including some necrotic tissue and blood. Lochia will usually be discharged within two to six weeks. If it is not discharged smoothly, it will cause great harm to her health. It may even easily cause postpartum hemorrhage, infection, and make it difficult for wounds to heal.

1. Blood type lochia

It is the red discharge that flows out after delivery, which contains a lot of blood, a large amount of discharge, a small amount of fetal membrane and necrotic decidual tissue, and is accompanied by blood clots. It usually lasts about 4 days, after which the color will gradually become lighter and the amount of discharge will decrease.

2. Lochia

It often appears one week after delivery. The amount of blood will gradually decrease, while the serous components will increase, which are mostly bacteria, cervical mucus, necrotic exfoliated tissue, etc., and it lasts about 10 days.

3. White lochia

The excreted fluid is white and contains many white blood cells. At this time, there is not much blood in it. Most of it is necrotic tissue decidua. It usually takes three weeks to be completely discharged.

If lochia continues to be discharged six weeks after delivery, you should be more careful and seek medical attention immediately if necessary, otherwise the following hazards may occur:

1. Postpartum hemorrhage

It can easily cause continuous bleeding from the lower body after delivery, and even cause severe hemorrhage, which can cause a fatal blow to the mother's health.

2. Cause local or systemic infection

The continuous flow of lochia provides bacteria with a chance to take in, which over time can cause partial or complete infection of the body, and can even lead to sepsis, endangering the life of the mother.

3. The incision is difficult to heal

It is difficult for the incision to heal if it is exposed to lochia for a long time. If the bacteria spread upwards, the uterus may be removed.