On postpartum day 7, a woman notes her vaginal discharge has become pinkish brown and less copious than in the first few days. Which statement about normal lochial changes is correct?
- A Lochia serosa persists until about the fourth week postpartum
- B Lochia rubra normally lasts 3 to 4 days, followed by lochia serosa up to about day 10 ✓
- C Lochia alba begins around the fourth day and contains abundant red blood cells
- D Offensive smell of lochia at any stage is an expected finding of normal involution
Correct answer: B. Lochia rubra normally lasts 3 to 4 days, followed by lochia serosa up to about day 10
Explanation
Lochia rubra lasts 3 to 4 days, lochia serosa (pinkish brown) from roughly day 4 to day 10, and lochia alba (whitish, leucocyte rich) thereafter, ceasing by 4 to 6 weeks. Lochia serosa does not persist to week four, and lochia alba is leucocyte rich rather than blood rich. Offensive smelling lochia signals endometritis or infection, not normal involution.
Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.