If a postpartum client is experiencing heavy lochia with clots, what could be a possible cause?

The presence of heavy lochia accompanied by clots in a postpartum client can indicate a significant concern, particularly the possibility of retained placental fragments. After childbirth, the body undergoes a process of involution, during which the placenta should be completely expelled. If fragments of the placenta remain in the uterus, they can interfere with normal uterine contraction and lead to excessive bleeding, often resulting in the expulsion of clots.

Retained placental fragments can keep the uterus from contracting effectively, leading to conditions like uterine atony, which is one of the leading causes of postpartum hemorrhage. Heavy lochia that is dark red or has noticeable clots is a clinical sign that warrants immediate assessment and intervention to ensure the safety and health of the client. Identifying retained placental fragments is critical, as appropriate medical or surgical intervention may be needed to remove the fragments and manage the bleeding effectively.

While the other options may have their own relevance in terms of postpartum experiences, they do not directly correlate with the clinical significance observed in cases of heavy lochia with clots, making the identification of retained placental fragments pivotal for postpartum care.