Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStagesCharacteristicsWhile BreastfeedingComplicationsDuration
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stages
Characteristics
While Breastfeeding
Complications
Duration
This article will cover the stages of lochia bleeding, lochia complications, and when to expect the first period.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Lochia Bleeding Stages
There are threelochia bleeding stages. Each stage has its unique characteristics regarding the color, consistency, and volume of discharge. Typically, a person will progress through the stages until there is no discharge.
It’s important to only use pads to absorb lochia discharge and avoid using tampons for the first six weeks after giving birth.
First Few Days Postpartum
During the first three to four days after delivery, vaginal discharge will be red and change to a brown color.The color change is reflective of the bleeding slowing down.
Lochia can look like a typical menstrual period with only blood or also be bloody and containsmall clots. Both are normal. The small blood clots may be pieces of the placenta, uterus lining, or mucus.
The amount of lochia during these first few days can vary. Some people may experience heavy discharge with many clots. Any variation of bleeding is considered normal as long as you are not soaking one pad or more per hour or having clots the size of an egg or larger.
It is normal for someone to experience a gush of blood and clots when they stand up after sleeping or lying down.
Does Lochia Smell?Lochia is often described as smelling like a normal period blood and may have earthy, musty, or metallic odor. Any of these smells are considered normal.If the lochia smells offensive or foul, it may be a sign of an infection.A healthcare provider should be contacted to discuss the odor and other symptoms to determine the best course of action.
Does Lochia Smell?
Lochia is often described as smelling like a normal period blood and may have earthy, musty, or metallic odor. Any of these smells are considered normal.If the lochia smells offensive or foul, it may be a sign of an infection.A healthcare provider should be contacted to discuss the odor and other symptoms to determine the best course of action.
Lochia is often described as smelling like a normal period blood and may have earthy, musty, or metallic odor. Any of these smells are considered normal.
If the lochia smells offensive or foul, it may be a sign of an infection.A healthcare provider should be contacted to discuss the odor and other symptoms to determine the best course of action.
Weeks Later
After about a week, lochia discharge will turn pink. At about 10 days, lochia becomes white and then clear. As the color diminishes, the consistency will become thinner and almost watery.
The amount ofdischargewill also lessen over time. These changes are all reflective of theuterus’shealing and returning to its prepregnancy state.
Months Later
Lochia generally continues for six weeks. Some people may experience a slightly longer or shorter duration.
Characteristics of Lochia vs. First Period Postpartum
It can be hard to determine if vaginal discharge is lochia or the first period postpartum.
Typically, lochia is only red for the first few days after delivery. This bloody discharge can contain clots as well as a bloody flow.
The first period may be different from prepregnancy periods. Their differences can include:
The 8 Best Period Underwear, Tested and Reviewed
Managing Lochia Bleeding While Breastfeeding
After delivery, lochia discharge will vary in consistency, duration, and color. If you choose tobreastfeedor chestfeed, you may also experience cramping while feeding. This is known as afterpains.
Lochia Complications
One of the largest complications after delivery is postpartum hemorrhage. It occurs in 3% to 5% of deliveries.
Postpartum hemorrhage is excessive vaginal bleeding after delivery. It is defined as losing at least 1 liter (about a quart) of blood and having symptoms of low intravascular volume (hypovolemia), which is the amount of blood in the circulatory system, within 24 hours after delivery.
Postpartum hemorrhage is treated after identifying the cause. The four T’s of postpartum hemorrhage causes are:
Other complications affecting lochia include a postpartum infection, also known aspuerperal fever.This most often occurs when the reproductive organs develop a bacterial infection.
Lochia vs. Postpartum HemorrhageDuring the first few days after delivery, vaginal discharge can be very red and of rather high volume. It can be hard to tell if it’s lochia or postpartum hemorrhage. Two key differences are that normal lochia discharge will not soak more than one pad per hour and clots will be smaller than the size of a typical egg.If you are soaking more than one pad per hour and are having clots larger than the size of an egg, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Lochia vs. Postpartum Hemorrhage
During the first few days after delivery, vaginal discharge can be very red and of rather high volume. It can be hard to tell if it’s lochia or postpartum hemorrhage. Two key differences are that normal lochia discharge will not soak more than one pad per hour and clots will be smaller than the size of a typical egg.If you are soaking more than one pad per hour and are having clots larger than the size of an egg, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
During the first few days after delivery, vaginal discharge can be very red and of rather high volume. It can be hard to tell if it’s lochia or postpartum hemorrhage. Two key differences are that normal lochia discharge will not soak more than one pad per hour and clots will be smaller than the size of a typical egg.
If you are soaking more than one pad per hour and are having clots larger than the size of an egg, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Why Do Some People Have Lochia Longer?
Each person will experience the postpartum period differently. Some people will have lochia discharge for six weeks or even two months. Others will have a shorter duration.
Your uterus may not contract as strongly as other people’s. When the uterus does not contract as tightly, more bleeding can occur.
Summary
Lochia is the normal vaginal discharge after childbirth. It occurs in people who have had either a vaginal birth or C-section. Lochia starts as bright red blood with blood clots. After a few days, the bleeding subsides, and the lochia turns dark brown, then proceeds to turn pink and white.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have questions about the amount, consistency, or duration of lochia.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Health Service.Your body after the birth.
University of Michigan Health.Postpartum bleeding.
Mount Sinai.Vaginal delivery - discharge.
UT Southwestern Medical Center.Will my period change after pregnancy?
Evensen A, Anderson JM, Fontaine P.Postpartum hemorrhage: prevention and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(7):442-449.
Dalton E, Castillo E.Postpartum infections: a review for the non-OBGYN.Obstet Med. 2014;7(3):98-102. doi:10.1177/1753495X14522784
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