Lochia

Definition

Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, consisting of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. It marks the body's process of healing and returning the uterus to its pre-pregnancy state.

Related terms

Postpartum period: The phase following childbirth when the mother's body undergoes various physiological changes as it returns to its pre-pregnancy state.

Uterine involution: The process by which the uterus returns to its normal size and condition after delivery.

Placenta: An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby while removing waste products from the baby's blood