This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Lochia

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

This is the name that is given to the discharge from the uterus which lasts for 3-6 weeks post-delivery. The discharge for the first few days is mainly blood. For the next 7-10 days it is a paler serosanguinous loss and becomes yellowish for up to 6 weeks.

The lochia consists of fibrinous products, decidual cells, red blood cells and leucocytes. There may also be organisms that are normal bacterial flora of the vaginal tract eg anaerobic streptococci, E. coli, staphylococci and Clostridium welchii. If there is a mixed growth of such organisms then this is not evidence of an infection of the genital tract. The lochia from the uterus is alkaline. As the lochia passes through the vagina it becomes acid and its constituents decompose due to the action of bacterial saprophytes.

Infection is suggested by pyrexia and offensive lochia.


Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.