Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Physiological Maternal Changes during the Postpartum Period (Involution)

Lochia

  1. Description: Discharge from the uterus that consists of blood from the vessels of the placental site and debris from the decidua
  2. Assessment:
    1. Scant: less than 2.5 cm (<1 inch) on menstrual pad in 1 hour
    2. Light: Less than 10 cm (<4 inches) on menstrual pad in 1 hour
    3. Moderate: Less than 15 cm (<6 inches) on menstrual pad in 1 hour
    4. Heavy: Saturated menstrual pad in 1 hour
    5. Excessive: Menstrual pad saturated in 15 minutes
    6. The discharge should smell like normal menstrual flow.
    7. Discharge decreases daily in amount.
    8. Discharge may increase with ambulation.


Rubra is bright red discharge that occurs from delivery to day 3. Serosa is brownish pink discharge that occurs from days 4 to 10. Alba is white discharge that occurs from days 11 to 14.
  • Color of Lochia:
    • Rubra is bright red discharge that occurs from delivery to day 3.
    • Serosa is brownish pink discharge that occurs from days 4 to 10.
    • Alba is white discharge that occurs from days 11 to 14.




















Source: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 6th Edition By Linda Anne Silvestri, PhD, RN