What color is lochia serosa?

Lochia serosa, which is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, typically presents as a pink to rose pink color. This occurs approximately 3 to 10 days postpartum, following the initial lochia rubra phase, which is characterized by a bright red discharge due to the shedding of blood and decidual tissue. The shift to lochia serosa indicates that the discharge is transitioning to a lighter color as the healing process continues and consists of a mixture of blood, mucus, and leukocytes. This pinkish hue is a normal part of the postpartum healing timeline, signifying that the body is moving towards the final stage of lochia, which is lochia alba, typically a yellowish or white discharge that occurs later in the postpartum period. Understanding these variations in lochia color and consistency is important for postpartum monitoring and assessing potential complications.