Lochia rubra is described as red and occurs during which days?

• A. Red lochia occurs from Day 4–7.
• B. Red lochia occurs from Day 1–2.
• C. Lochia rubra is red and occurs from Day 1–3.
• D. Red lochia occurs from Day 2–6.

Answer: (C)

Lochia rubra is the bright red postpartum discharge that comes from blood and shed decidual tissue in the immediate days after delivery. It’s red because it contains fresh blood, and this red stage typically lasts about the first three days, from day 1 through day 3. After that, the discharge usually changes to a pinkish-brown color (lochia serosa) and later to a whitish-yellow (lochia alba) as healing progresses. So the statement that red lochia occurs from day 1 to day 3 fits the typical progression. Ranges that occur after day 3 describe the serosa phase, while shorter ranges would not capture the full rubra period.