A bodily fluid collection system includes a reduced pressure treatment unit for providing reduced pressure to a fluid collection system through a canister having a container with an inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to the fluid collection system, an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of reduced pressure, and an absorptive lamination disposed within the container. The absorptive lamination may be formed from a plurality of absorptive layers and wicking layers interleaved between the absorptive layers that collectively manifold bodily fluids from a tissue site into and throughout the absorptive lamination to trap and collect the bodily fluids. The container expands as the absorptive lamination swells with the bodily fluid being collected.