Final answer:
Healthcare providers recommend notifying the physician of any increase in the amount of lochia or return to bright red bleeding after vaginal delivery, as this is crucial for monitoring uterine recovery.
Step-by-step explanation:
After vaginal delivery, healthcare providers recommend notifying the physician of any increase in the amount of lochia or a return to bright red bleeding. This is crucial for monitoring uterine recovery. Although postpartum uterine contractions limit blood loss from the detachment of the placenta, the person who has recently given birth does experience a postpartum vaginal discharge called lochia. This discharge is made up of uterine lining cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and other debris. Thick, dark, lochia rubra (red lochia) typically continues for 2-3 days, and is replaced by lochia serosa, a thinner, pinkish form that continues until about the tenth postpartum day. After this period, a scant, creamy, or watery discharge called lochia alba (white lochia) may continue for another 1-2 weeks.