LOCHIA RUBRA Meaning and
Definition
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Lochia rubra is a medical term used to describe a specific type of vaginal discharge that occurs following childbirth. It is a normal part of the postpartum period and is primarily composed of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue.
During the immediate postpartum period, the body undergoes significant changes as the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size. As the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, blood vessels are broken, leading to bleeding. This resulting blood loss mixes with mucus and debris from the uterus and is expelled through the vagina.
Lochia rubra typically appears as bright red in color due to the fresh bleeding, resembling the flow experienced during menstruation. It is usually heavy in the first few days after delivery and may contain small clots. Over time, the color of the discharge transitions to a pinkish or brownish hue, turning into lochia serosa, which then further lightens to a yellow or white discharge called lochia alba as the healing process progresses.
Monitoring the amount, color, and odor of lochia rubra is important as it can indicate the overall health and recovery of the mother's reproductive system after childbirth. Excessive bleeding, foul smell, or excessively bright red color may require medical attention, as they could be signs of complications such as infection, retained placental fragments, or uterine abnormalities. Proper postpartum care, including regular monitoring of lochia, helps ensure a healthy recovery for the mother.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LOCHIA RUBRA
- kochia rubra
- pochia rubra
- oochia rubra
- lichia rubra
- lkchia rubra
- llchia rubra
- lpchia rubra
- l0chia rubra
- l9chia rubra
- loxhia rubra
- lovhia rubra
- lofhia rubra
- lodhia rubra
- locgia rubra
- locbia rubra
- locnia rubra
- locjia rubra
- locuia rubra
- locyia rubra
- lochua rubra
Etymology of LOCHIA RUBRA
The term lochia rubra is commonly used in the field of medicine to refer to the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth. It is derived from two Latin words:
1. Lochia: The word lochia comes from the Latin word lochium, which means discharge or flow. In the context of childbirth, it specifically refers to the postpartum discharge from the uterus.
2. Rubra: The word rubra derives from the Latin adjective rubrus, which translates to red or reddish. It is used to describe the color of the discharge, which is typically bright red during the early days after childbirth.
Together, lochia rubra translates to red discharge.
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