What is lochia serosa?

Lochia serosa is the type of vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, typically beginning around the fourth day postpartum and lasting until approximately the tenth day. This discharge is characterized by a pinkish color, which is due to the presence of a mixture of blood, wound healing plasma, and mucus. The presence of blood accounts for the pink hue, while the mucus indicates the body’s process of recovery and the shedding of cells from the uterine lining.

Understanding lochia serosa is important for nurses and healthcare providers, as it signals a phase of the postpartum recovery process. Noticing the change in color and consistency of the discharge can provide valuable information about a patient's healing progress and any potential complications. Unlike the initial lochia rubra, which is bright red and heavy with blood shortly after delivery, lochia serosa is a sign that the woman is moving into a healing phase. This means that while it is normal, ongoing monitoring is still necessary to ensure that the discharge does not change unexpectedly, which could indicate issues such as infection or retained placental fragments.