lochia

Thân thiện

A new mother rests in bed while her body naturally expels lochia.

Definition

Noun: 1. Postpartum vaginal discharge: The substance discharged from the vagina after childbirth, consisting of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. This discharge gradually decreases in amount and changes in appearance over several weeks as the uterus heals.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The color and flow of the lochia are monitored by healthcare providers as an indicator of postpartum recovery.
  • It is normal for lochia to persist for four to six weeks following delivery.

Advanced Usage

• "Lochia rubra": The first stage of postpartum discharge, typically lasting 3-4 days, characterized by a bright red color due to its high blood content.
  • Lochia rubra consists primarily of blood and decidual tissue.
• "Lochia serosa": The second stage, lasting about a week, where the discharge becomes pinkish or brownish as the blood content decreases.
  • The transition to lochia serosa indicates the healing process is progressing.
• "Lochia alba": The final stage, which can last several weeks, where the discharge is yellowish or whitish, consisting mainly of mucus and white blood cells.
  • Lochia alba may continue for up to six weeks postpartum.

Variants and Related Words

• Postpartum: (Adjective) Relating to the period immediately after childbirth.
  • Postpartum care includes monitoring for signs of infection.
• Puerperium: (Noun) The period of about six weeks after childbirth during which the mother's reproductive organs return to their pre-pregnant state.
  • Lochia is a normal part of the puerperium.

Synonyms

• Postpartum discharge: The general term for vaginal discharge after giving birth.
• Puerperal discharge: A more clinical synonym for lochia.

Notes on Meaning

This term is highly specific to the field of obstetrics and postpartum medicine. It does not refer to any other type of discharge and is exclusively used in the context of recovery from childbirth.

Học thuật

Noun

1. substance discharged from the vagina (cellular debris and mucus and blood) that gradually decreases in amount during the weeks following childbirth