I work in a daycare where I have an 18 month old who no longer has a vaginal opening. It seems to have grown shut. Is this common, and how do I approach her parents about it?
2006-09-12 16:37:43 · 18 answers · asked by jaswinelover1 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It can happen, they are called labial adhesions and while not exactly common, it's not uncommon either. This is a good explanation here for you:
http://www.drgreene.com/21_1130.html
I would just be frank and use medical terminology. Ask the parents if the child has labial adhesions and if she is using any creams or treatment for it. Be matter of fact and casual about it, you can say that a "friend of a friend's daughter" had it and you thought their baby might have the same thing. If they are shocked or horrified (maybe they hadn't noticed - although I can't imagine how they couldn't) remember to be very professional and offhand about it like it's no big deal, just something she should have checked out by the doctor and assure them it does happen and can be fixed. If they already know about it and are getting her treated (or if their doctor has recommended no treatment) they will appreciate your knowledge and familiarity with the term and fill you in on her condition.
2006-09-12 16:43:27 · answer #1 · answered by BabyRN 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's called "vaginal adhesions" and is very common and very treatable, and also VERY important that it gets treated ASAP because if the opening to the bladder is obstructed it can lead to backflow into the bladder and cause infections. It's best to get it treated before it gets completely closed. There is a Rx cream called "premarin" that is basically estrogen and that is the easiest and most painless treatment for it. If it's too closed up for that to be effective the doc may have to open it up with a special instrument in his/her office, which can be painful if the parents don't insist on an anesthetic cream (commonly EMLA, which they may have to take home and put on themselves, because it takes about 30-45 minutes to take effect). The parents do have to request/insist on this if they want it because most of the time the procedure is done w/o anesthetic (alot like a circumcision). It is a quick procedure but I wouldn't have wanted my daughters to have gone through that when they had adhesions! Luckily the premarin worked though and we didn't have to worry about it!
As for approaching the parents, just tell them that when you were changing her diaper, you noticed she had adhesions, explain what it is and that it is common and treatable (so they don't freak out!) and let them know that she should see a doc ASAP about it before it gets worse. Most parents, especially parents who work and are busy and might not change as many of their kids' diapers as a day care would, will appreciate the tip and it will show how much attention and care is being put into their child's well-being while they must work! Hope this helps!!
2006-09-12 16:51:49 · answer #2 · answered by mommy2girls 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is actually not very hard to notice a closed vaginal opening. With normal cleaning, you can tell if it's not open. It's the outer labia that are closed - not the vagina itself.
That being said, this is not uncommon. Hormone creams are the first course of action taken. If it doesn't open after hormone treatment, minor surgery may be required to open the labia fully.
I would tell the parents, but TREAD LIGHTLY. You don't want to scare them. Tell them that you've noticed while changing her diapers that something seems a little abnormal, and they might want to ask their Ped about it. Once you've said something, that's all you can and should do.
2006-09-12 22:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by Smurfy Keeps Going and Going 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh my, I would bring this to the parents attention privately by telling them what you have noticed. Say that you are concerned as you noticed this while changing her diaper. But you have to be very careful because you do not want to offend. Is there another daycare provider that works with you so that you can meet with the parents about this matter all together?
2006-09-12 16:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by Justme 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just be open w/ her parents. If you're more comfortable talking to one in particular, talk to that parent. I don't know if something like this is a serious medical condition, but I'd want to know if it were my daughter. Although, I would think that if you noticed (which I'm assuming you observed through a diaper change), the parents would notice.
2006-09-12 16:41:25 · answer #5 · answered by JustMyOpinion 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This must be something common because my daughter's (11 months old) pediatrican has checked her vaginal area for this. I don't know what it's called or what they do for it. I just know that he has checked her for it. I would just approach the parents and let them know you noticed it when changing her diaper. That you was concerned and wasnt sure if they noticed it. Good Luck!!
2006-09-12 16:54:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's certainly not UNcommon. In most cases it isn't a big deal to deal with. Get some info on it from a doc and approach the parents with that info.
2006-09-12 16:46:41 · answer #7 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sisters had this problem when they were babies. The doctor told my step mother that it was just a lack of natural lubrication. I would definitely talk to the parents about it because it is something that needs to be looked at by a doctor.
2006-09-12 16:42:11 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you work in a day care and you have noticed something wrong with a child you care for ...you need to notify some one of authority about a possible lack of medical attention that is happening in a home....not only why should you be afraid to approach any parent over a medical issue...if the child fell or hurt them selves would you tell the parent or ignore it ? this is no different
2006-09-12 16:43:44 · answer #9 · answered by angeleyes3605@yahoo.com 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
what i would like to know is how do you know the hole is closed?????????? because "normal" cleaning of the area does not involve looking that close, this i know as i have 2 young daughters 1 being 19months and the other 9 months, and from "normal" cleaning, even when really soiled you cannot see the "the hole", i think your a perv, and i think thats disgusting, ohhhh also i'm a nurse and if there was an opening at birth there will still be an opening now, the only time when a hole or wound closes is if the skin or area is an open wound and then it would need stitches
2006-09-12 19:49:34 · answer #10 · answered by janine 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋