What is the expected progression of lochia in the postpartum period?

What is the expected progression of lochia in the postpartum period?

• A. Lochia rubra to alba to serosa with decreasing flow.
• B. Lochia alba to rubra to serosa with increasing flow.
• C. Lochia rubra to serosa to alba with decreasing flow.
• D. Lochia serosa to alba to rubra with increasing flow.

Answer: (C)

Postpartum lochia progression mirrors how the uterus heals and reduces bleeding after birth. Right after delivery, lochia rubra is bright red and may contain small clots, reflecting fresh blood and tissue. As healing continues, the discharge shifts to lochia serosa—pink-to-brown, thinner, with serous fluid and immune cells. Finally, lochia alba appears as a pale yellow-white discharge made mostly of mucus, serum, and white blood cells, and it can last several weeks. Throughout this time, the amount of discharge gradually decreases as the uterus involutes. So the expected sequence is rubra, then serosa, then alba, with decreasing flow.

Postpartum lochia progression mirrors how the uterus heals and reduces bleeding after birth. Right after delivery, lochia rubra is bright red and may contain small clots, reflecting fresh blood and tissue. As healing continues, the discharge shifts to lochia serosa—pink-to-brown, thinner, with serous fluid and immune cells. Finally, lochia alba appears as a pale yellow-white discharge made mostly of mucus, serum, and white blood cells, and it can last several weeks. Throughout this time, the amount of discharge gradually decreases as the uterus involutes. So the expected sequence is rubra, then serosa, then alba, with decreasing flow.