Final answer:
Postpartum bleeding that is heavier than a menstrual period or passes large clots is considered abnormal. Lochia is the normal vaginal discharge, transitioning from lochia rubra to lochia serosa, and then to lochia alba over several weeks. Complications such as retained placental fragments can lead to excessive bleeding, which should be assessed by an obstetrician.
Step-by-step explanation:
Postpartum bleeding is considered excessive or greater than normal if it is heavier than a menstrual period or if large clots are passed, particularly after the first few days following childbirth. Lochia is the vaginal discharge experienced by a person who has recently given birth, consisting of uterine lining cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and other debris. Initially, it presents as thick, dark lochia rubra (red lochia) for 2-3 days, transforming into lochia serosa, a pinkish discharge until about the tenth postpartum day, and finally to a creamy or watery lochia alba (white lochia) for another 1-2 weeks. Excessive blood loss could be a sign of complications such as retained placental fragments leading to postpartum hemorrhage or other issues that the obstetrician should evaluate. The period known as involution, which is the return of the uterus and abdominal organs to their pre-pregnancy state, can be facilitated by breastfeeding.
After giving birth, it is advised to wait three weeks before using birth control methods that contain both estrogen and progestin due to the increased risk of blood clots. This wait period is extended to six weeks for individuals with risk factors such as a cesarean delivery, obesity, a history of blood clots, smoking, or preeclampsia.