What is lochia alba?

Lochia alba refers specifically to the discharge that occurs following childbirth, which is characterized as being clear and colorless or white in appearance. This discharge typically occurs after lochia rubra and lochia serosa, indicating that it is a later stage in the postpartum healing process.

At this stage, the body is expelling excess tissue and fluids as part of the recovery process after delivery. The presence of a clear or white discharge suggests that the initial bleeding has subsided and the body is returning to a non-pregnant state. The consistency of lochia alba indicates that it contains fewer red blood cells and is primarily made up of leukocytes, cervical mucus, and tissue debris, marking the end of the lochial discharge process.

This information establishes lochia alba as a normal part of postpartum recovery, showing a progression from more substantial and bloody discharges to lighter, clearer discharges.