Final answer:
Lochia is a postpartum vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth. It consists of uterine lining cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and other debris. The three stages of lochia are lochia rubra, lochia serosa, and lochia alba.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lochia is a postpartum vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth. It consists of uterine lining cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and other debris. Lochia is a postpartum vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth. It consists of uterine lining cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and other debris. The three stages of lochia are lochia rubra, lochia serosa, and lochia alba.
The three stages of lochia are lochia rubra (thick, dark, red lochia), lochia serosa (thinner, pinkish lochia), and lochia alba (scant, creamy or watery white lochia). Lochia rubra typically lasts for 2-3 days, followed by lochia serosa which lasts until about the tenth postpartum day. Lochia alba may continue for another 1-2 weeks.
It is important to note that bright red bleeding for more than 2 hours after delivery may indicate a vaginal tear and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.