Do they check newborn girls genitals before leaving hospital?

[mummytopebs]

My 4 wk old dd has been poorly last couple of days. She has a chesty cough,temp and some sickness. Went to day unit yesterday and they found some abnormalities in her urine so have sent it off for growth.

Anyway when i have just changed her nappyy there is a horrible smell and some stringy bright yellow stuff, so i went to check her vagina for discharge and i cant see a hole, i can see the lips and uretha but there seems to be no hole. Am i being stupid, you should see it shouldnt you? Will they have checked for this in hospital?

they normally check boys but i dont remember them checking girls - i cant remember what mine looked like at that age but it sounds like she has an infection. I am assuming a "Hole" would be very small though at this age? its not that noticable until they are bigger. If you really think there is a problem you could ask the HV about it.

The baby's( genitals should be checked and it is possible for the vaginal opening to be sealed but it is rare and sometimes is not picked up until the child is older so does not cause problems immeadiately as far as I know. I would take her back to the doctor to ease your mind. Are you sure the yellow stringy stuff it not poo, newborn poo ccan be really odd.

No definitly not poo. Am going to take her back cos her chest is really rattly and she keeps coughing as well, they said this could be cos of a uti, but dont get results back till then and thinks she needs to be seen before tomorrow

My dd's genitals were checked. Thouroughly. I embarassed myself by asking the doctor what her clitoris was .
I would go back to the doctor asap and get her to have a look to put your mind at rest if nothing else.

Just in case anyone else happens by this thread, I just thought that I'd add that it is not usually possible to see the vaginal opening in a newborn little girl. It is covered by the hymen, a thinish bit of skin. It has a small hole in it to later let out menstrual flow, and in some rare cases it can be very thick and not allow the period blood to flow out, which can cause considerable pain and require surgical removal. Don't worry it doesn't sound like there is a problem. If you are really worried do check with your Doctor. A paediatrician at the hospital should have looked at you daughter's genitals as part of the newborn check already before you were discharged. Hope this helps.

I have a few ideas about the discharge (nothing serious) but I would mention it to your GP if you see it again, just to be sure.

yes, girls and boys genitals are checked as part of the newborn check

see your doctor, love, there will be a simple explanation