What is white lochia?

The color of postpartum lochia will change to a certain extent. At the beginning, people will have red lochia. This kind of lochia is bloody lochia because it contains blood. Next, the lochia will turn light red, which is caused by the decrease in blood in the lochia. Within two to three weeks after delivery, the lochia will turn white. This white lochia usually lasts for three weeks. After that, the lochia is completely discharged.

After half a month to three weeks, the lochia no longer contains blood, but contains a large number of white blood cells, degenerated decidua, epidermal cells and bacteria, making the lochia viscous and white in color, so it is called white lochia. The white lochia lasted for three weeks without any bleeding.

After giving birth, the decidua of the uterus, especially the decidua at the placental attachment, falls off, and tissues containing blood, necrotic decidua, etc. are discharged through the vagina, which is called lochia. The duration of lochia varies from person to person, with an average of about 21 days, a short duration of 14 days, and a long duration of up to 6 weeks.

1. Red lochia

In the first week after delivery, the amount of lochia is large and bright red. It contains a large amount of blood, small blood clots and necrotic decidual tissue, which is called red lochia. Bloody lochia lasts for three to four days, the amount of uterine bleeding gradually decreases, the serous fluid increases, and it turns into serous lochia.

2. Lochia serous

After one week to half a month, the amount of blood in the lochia decreases, and there are more necrotic decidua, cervical mucus, vaginal secretions and bacteria, which makes the lochia turn into light red serous fluid. The lochia at this time is called serous lochia. Serous lochia lasts for about ten days, the serous fluid gradually decreases, the white blood cells increase, and the lochia turns into white lochia.

1. Bloody lochia: bright red in color, contains a lot of blood, large amount, and sometimes small blood clots. There is a small amount of fetal membrane and necrotic decidual tissue. Bloody lochia lasts for 3 to 4 days, the amount of uterine bleeding gradually decreases, the serous fluid increases, and it turns into serous lochia.

2. Light red in color and contains a lot of serous fluid. There is a small amount of blood, but there is a large amount of necrotic decidual tissue, cervical mucus, uterine exudate, and bacteria. Serous lochia lasts for about 10 days, the serous fluid gradually decreases, the white blood cells increase, and the lochia turns into white lochia.

3. White lochia: sticky and white in color. Contains a large number of white blood cells, necrotic tissue decidua, epidermal cells and bacteria. The white lochia lasted for 3 weeks.

Normal lochia has a bloody smell but no odor, lasts for 4 to 6 weeks, and the total amount is about 250ml-500ml, with large individual differences. By observing the lochia, paying attention to changes in its quality and quantity, color and odor, as well as the state of uterine recovery, you can understand whether the uterine recovery is normal.