Lochia: What's Normal, What's Not

LOCHIA: WHAT'S NORMAL, WHAT'S NOT 🩸

Malama Clinical Team · Week 1–2 Postpartum · Postpartum Series

After your baby is born, your uterus starts clearing out. The discharge you’ll see for the next few weeks is called lochia. It’s normal, it’s expected, and knowing what to look for will save you a lot of worry.

WHAT IS LOCHIA? 🧠

Lochia is a mix of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. Think of it like a long, gradual period — your uterus shedding its lining after nine months of pregnancy. It happens whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section.

WHAT’S NORMAL ✅

Lochia goes through three stages:

• 🔴 Days 1–4 (Lochia Rubra): Bright red, heavy, may have small clots. Looks a lot like a heavy period. Totally expected.
• 🟠 Days 4–10 (Lochia Serosa): Turns pink or brownish and lighter. Flow slows down.
• 🟡 Days 10–28 (Lochia Alba): Yellowish or white, very light. Can last up to 6 weeks.

Use pads, not tampons, until your provider clears you. Give your body room to heal.

WHAT’S NOT NORMAL 🚨

Call your provider if you notice any of these:

• ❌ Soaking more than one pad per hour for two or more hours in a row
• ❌ Clots larger than a golf ball
• ❌ Bright red bleeding that comes back after it had already slowed down
• ❌ Foul-smelling discharge — this can signal infection
• ❌ Fever above 100.4°F alongside heavy bleeding

Trust your gut. If something feels off, call. That’s what your care team is there for.

🩸 GD Note: Heavy bleeding can be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage, which is slightly more common after a C-section. If you had GD and were on insulin, your care team is already watching your recovery closely. Don’t hesitate to mention any changes in bleeding at your follow-up visits.

A QUICK NOTE ON ACTIVITY 🚶‍♀️

Doing too much too soon can cause lochia to increase again — your body’s way of telling you to slow down. If bleeding picks back up after a busy day, rest. It’s a signal, not a setback.

You just grew and birthed a human. Rest is the job right now. 🤍