Medline ® Abstract for Reference 10

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quantity and duration of lochia in women with or without inherited bleeding disorders and to identify factors that influence lochial loss.

STUDY DESIGN: Pictorial blood assessment chart was completed by 115 pregnant women (21 with or carriers of inherited bleeding disorder and 94 without bleeding disorder) using standardized sanitary products.

RESULTS: The median duration of lochia was significantly longer in women with (or carriers of) inherited bleeding disorder (39 days; range 21-58) compared with women without bleeding disorder (31 days; range, 10-62; P = .03); however, the median lochial loss were similar (441 mL; range, 135-1290 vs 429 mL; range, 112-1295; P = .59). Long labor and instrumental delivery were associated with heavier lochia.

CONCLUSION: Pictorial blood assessment chart is potentially a useful tool in the assessment of lochia. Women with inherited bleeding disorders experience longer period of lochia compared with women without bleeding disorder. Labor duration and mode of delivery influence lochial loss.