Essential Tips from a Pediatric Gynecologist: Caring for Your Baby Girl

Caring for Your Baby Girl: Tips from a Pediatric Gynecologist

As a future mom of a baby girl, it’s essential to take care of your health during pregnancy. But how concerned should you be about conditions like synechiae, and when is the right time to consult a pediatric gynecologist? We’ve got you covered with expert advice from Natalia Lelyukh, a highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologist, popular blog author of “Fascinating Gynecology,” and creator and host of the “Women’s Club.”

Prenatal Care: Be Mindful of Medications

It’s not just about vitamins, which doctors often prescribe not out of necessity but “just in case” and “for prevention.” The primary concern should be the medications you take. Remember, everything you consume during pregnancy affects your baby’s future health and gender. Always ask your doctor about the purpose of prescribed medications.

Progesterone: A Special Note

Progesterone is a hormone naturally produced in sufficient quantities in a woman’s body, as it initiates the production of other hormones. During pregnancy, the placenta releases the necessary amount of progesterone specific to that pregnancy. Additional doses of progesterone are often unnecessarily prescribed, which can be unprofessional and potentially harmful.

Studies by renowned international authorities, such as the U.S. Federal Drug Administration and the British Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, confirm the negative effects of progesterone on both the woman and the developing baby. Progesterone can cause abnormalities in the development of the sexual system, genetic damage, cancer, and severe depression.

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby girl! While a doctor will conduct the initial examination, parents should also inspect their newborn, particularly the inguinal area and genital organs. Some abnormalities may not be immediately apparent, so consult your pediatrician if you notice anything suspicious.

Normal Newborn Phenomena

Don’t be alarmed if your baby girl experiences breast swelling, colostrum secretion, or vaginal bleeding in her first month. These are normal occurrences caused by an temporary excess of maternal hormones in the baby’s body and will soon subside.

Caring for Your Baby Girl: The First Year

The primary advice for parents is: don’t wash your baby girl unnecessarily! All secretions in girls of this age are physiological and indicate normal body function. The body is self-cleaning, and constant washing is not required. Maintain hygiene, but in moderation.

Recommended Hygiene Practices

The best products for genital care at any age are room-temperature water and natural soap without dyes or fragrances. Intimate hygiene gels are often just marketing gimmicks and offer no special benefits.

Avoid using fatty creams and oils on your baby girl’s genital area, as they can create a film and encourage the growth of potentially pathogenic flora, especially under the diaper. Use hydrophilic creams (water-based) and put on a diaper only after the cream has fully absorbed.

Understanding Synechiae

Synechiae, the adhesion of the labia minora, are not as scary as they sound. They can adhere to each other or to the sides and are most common in girls aged one to two years due to insufficient hormone production.

Managing Synechiae

In 80% of cases, synechiae resolve on their own during puberty. They only become a concern if they obstruct the urethra, hindering urine flow and potentially causing urinary tract infections. Surgical separation is not the solution! Instead, special creams containing the hormone estriol can be used to treat synechiae. Apply a thin layer of the cream twice daily for two weeks.

Preventing Synechiae

To prevent synechiae, avoid using diapers in hot weather and refrain from taking progesterone during pregnancy.

Puberty and the First Gynecologist Visit

Girls start producing hormones actively at ages 5-6, often experiencing a growth spurt. The body prepares for puberty and the first menstruation (menarche) by accumulating fat tissue.

Ensuring Natural Menarche

For menarche to occur naturally, a girl should have some body fat. Intense physical activity, lack of sleep, and dietary restrictions in girls aged 6-8 can delay puberty and the onset of the first menstruation.

When to Expect Menarche

There’s no strict timeline for menarche. The average age is 13, but variations of one to two years are normal. Menarche typically occurs two to three years after the appearance of pubic and underarm hair and the beginning of breast development. If menstruation hasn’t started by age 16 or began very early (8-9 years), or if there’s a halt in the development of secondary sexual characteristics, consult a gynecologist.

When to Visit a Gynecologist

If a mother discusses personal hygiene, contraception, and women’s health with her daughter, and the girl experiences normal puberty with the first menstruation occurring at the expected time without severe pain, there’s no rush to visit a doctor. However, if there are concerns, consult a gynecologist regardless of age. The most crucial advice for parents is to communicate openly with their children, answer their questions, and build trust. Prevention is always easier than treatment.