Two weeks postpartum, which discharge characteristic should the nurse expect?

• A. Yellowish-white uterine discharge
• B. Bright red, heavy lochia
• C. Clear, watery discharge
• D. No discharge at all.

Answer: (A)

Postpartum lochia progression explains what to expect at two weeks after birth. After delivery, lochia changes color and amount as the uterus heals. By about two weeks, the discharge typically shifts to lochia alba—a yellowish-white, lighter, and less bloody discharge from healing placental sites. This is normal and indicates ongoing involution of the uterus. The other possibilities reflect different stages or problems: bright red, heavy lochia suggests heavier bleeding that is not typical at this point and could signal hemorrhage or infection; a clear, watery discharge is not the usual description of lochia in the weeks after birth; and no discharge at all would be unusual since some lochia usually persists for several weeks.