Baby girls don't have true menstrual periods like adult women. What might appear as a period is actually newborn vaginal bleeding, also known as "false menses," which is a normal occurrence.
Here's why it happens:
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Hormonal Influence: During pregnancy, the baby girl is exposed to high levels of estrogen from the mother.
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Sudden Hormone Drop: After birth, the baby's estrogen levels suddenly decrease.
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Withdrawal Bleeding: This sudden drop in estrogen can cause a small amount of vaginal bleeding, similar to the withdrawal bleeding that occurs during a menstrual period or when stopping hormonal birth control.
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Appearance: The discharge may be blood-tinged or pink.
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Duration: This bleeding typically only lasts for 3 or 4 days.
It's important to note:
- This is a benign and temporary condition.
- If the bleeding persists beyond a few days or seems excessive, consult a pediatrician.
