05/29/2026
FUN FACT: LOCHIA
Let's talk about lochia, because nobody prepares you for this and then you have a baby and you're like "what is HAPPENING."
Lochia is the combination of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue that your body sheds after birth as your uterus heals and shrinks back down to its normal size. It starts out heavy and bright red (like a very heavy period), then gradually gets lighter in color and flow over several weeks.
It can feel intense... like, "am I hemorrhaging" intense... but this is normal postpartum bleeding. It's how your body heals.
You'll go through a LOT of pads in those first couple weeks. Stock up.
If you're soaking through a pad in an hour or passing clots bigger than a golf ball, call your provider. But otherwise, this is just your uterus doing its thing.
More info:
Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22455-lochia
Nobody warned me about lochia... did anyone warn you? Let us know in the comments below!