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Post by mudlark on Sept 18, 2017 10:03:56 GMT
Dear all, Over the last 6 days little Lapwing age 8 and 5 months, has had light spotting on going to the loo, which this morning was undeniably blood. I have been reassuring her over the last few days saying we will go to the doctors this week hoping against hope that it is not what I think it is
However this morning I have had to give a very simple and I hope not frightening talk about what a period is ( a sign her body is growing and happens to all girls) and kept her off school. She is so young, she is very petite, and emotionally very immature. I have bought some little panty liners and we will see the doctor on Wednesday ( earliest appointment).
My little talk has not included her about how babies are made as this would all be too much for her.
I cant believe this is happening to her. Has anyone else with a daughter experienced this at such a young age? I am it has to be said in mild shock!
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Post by esty on Sept 18, 2017 10:12:06 GMT
I haven't had any experience and no informed advice to give just horrified for you and her that she should have to deal with this so early on top of everything else. I would are celebrating with her and making it into special event and putting as much positive on to it as possible. Women are expected to not like/deal with periods from a man's perspective. We should perhaps own the wonder of our own bodies!
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Post by jmk on Sept 18, 2017 11:49:44 GMT
Gosh 8 does seem very young poor thing.
YDD was just 10 when hers started and she didn't tell me for a few months she was so embarrased. She was extremely thin and I had not expected it at all as I thought you had to weigh over 6 stone for them to start. EDD, half sib, didn't start until she was nearly 14. YDD did have a MASSIVE growth spurt around that time, growing 3 inches that year passing out EDD for the first time, so it must have been a hormone charge.
I do know of another adopter whose DD started at 9, but her DD was really tall for her age and quite solid in build.
There is a thing called 'precocious puberty'. Might be worth Googling it and having a read before you see your GP on wednesday.
Hugs to you, it's quite a shock and yet another thing our girls have to deal with. x
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Post by serrakunda on Sept 18, 2017 15:02:20 GMT
I think I have seen articles which suggest that puberty is starting earlier on average, particularly amongst girls. Whilst not common, I don't think 8 is unknown unfortunately.
Poor thing, a lot to deal with at this age. |
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Post by mudlark on Sept 18, 2017 21:17:23 GMT
Thanks for that JMK , never heard of PP before, but googling it, it certainly could be a possibility... I shall feel more informed now when we see the Doc on Wednesday.
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Post by nzhb on Sept 18, 2017 21:34:10 GMT
Yes my DD had breast development aged 7-8 although didn't start periods until 10.
Was sexually more aware than her peers because of early onset puberty.
Precocious puberty is before the age of 8 usually.
Early onset puberty caused us a lot of problems with abnormal interest in changing body & showing off to peer group & interest in boys.
We saw a paediatric endocrinologist who said this is a common event in adopted children.
It is thought this happens because they are taken into a caring environment & their bodies just go 'into fast forward'.
If I had known the difficulties it was going to give my DD in terms of inappropriate showing off and the repercussions for us as a family, then I might have pushed for 'down regulation' ( where puberty is halted until child a bit older) to avoid all the hassle.
However my DD does have neurobiological problems which also didn't help.
Please do ask for paed endocrinologist to see your daughter.
Children can sometimes end up with short stature if they have early puberty.
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Post by leo on Sept 18, 2017 22:04:27 GMT
Oh why does life continue to be so unfair for some of our children?
I have heard that puberty tends to start early in traumatised children (and it certainly has for Hurricane - although much simpler for a boy I think!) and it sadly could be this - but... is there any chance she has either broken her hymen in some way or has injured herself. Those are both awful enough suggestions I know - but perhaps preferable to early puberty?
If it is the worst case scenario and it can't be stopped then I know (through having a niece with ASD who can't cope with periods) that there are ranges of underwear available that look pretty much like normal knickers but actually have absorbent material within the gusset part and are designed to be worn all day then washed 'as normal'. I know these are available for young teen sizes but not sure if they would do small enough sizes for a petite 8 year old?
So sorry you and Lapwing have extra to be coping with.
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Post by nzhb on Sept 18, 2017 22:42:43 GMT
Yes , she could have broken her hymen.
Additionally, periods are often preceeded by some spotting months before they start for real.
Does she have any breast buds?
Periods don't tend to start until approx 12-18 months after the development of these.
If there are NO breast buds then unlikely to be puberty, but my AD had a scan of her ovaries & a scan of her bone development to chart her physiological age ( as opposed to actual age) and she was approx 2.5 years ahead in pubertal development.
She coped with periods v well.
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Post by nzhb on Sept 18, 2017 22:44:25 GMT
Other thing to think about is a urine infection - that can present with some blood.
Would be helpful to take a sample to the GP.
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Post by mudlark on Sept 19, 2017 12:20:07 GMT
Thank you for the advice and suggestions its been useful.
More useful than school, where this morning it felt like a ridiculous dream/nightmare, as her class teacher giggled and quipped while she showed Lapwing the special loo that she can use, and the special box full of sanitary towels in case of an emergency, the teacher is well meaning but her jokes and giggles did little to help anxious and confused Lapwing, or for that matter me!
Dr's tomorrow, hopefully will get some idea whether this is puberty or something else.....
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Post by lilyofthevalley on Sept 19, 2017 16:50:42 GMT
I would suggest that you look at the Adoption UK forum. By coincidence this same topic has just come up within the last few days, under 'Adopters' I think. There has been much useful info given. I have to say it has been an eyeopener to me.
Lily x
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Post by mudlark on Sept 20, 2017 10:31:37 GMT
As an update, we have been to the GP who seemed a little taken aback by the whole thing...he took a urine sample in order to rule out any infection so we will wait for the results of that. He didn't seem to think on looking at her chest and tummy that she was entering puberty, but he really didn't seem sure at all. So we shall wait for the results of the urine sample..... |
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Post by jmk on Oct 16, 2017 9:12:22 GMT
Did the results show anything Mudlark?
Was just wondering, considering your recent post about masturbation, could she have injured herself inserting anything?
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Post by mudlark on Oct 16, 2017 19:03:44 GMT
No infection, but GP has referred us to a paediatrician for further investigation, that's not for a couple of weeks. I have not tackled the masturbation issue yet, I am finding it difficult to find the right moment when we are alone and she is in a receptive frame of mind, I don't want to embarrass her or make her feel she is doing something wrong.
30 days have elapsed since the blood spotting and she has had a couple of possible crampy tummy pains but nothing else. JMK you and others have mentioned the possibility of her inserting something and harming her self. I almost don't want to ask her as I don't want to give her the idea of doing it!
I guess the investigation by the hospital may tell us more.
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Post by moo on Oct 17, 2017 11:17:52 GMT
{{{{{Sending you loads of support & hugs xxxx}}}}}
Xx moo xx
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Post by mudlark on Nov 24, 2017 22:43:27 GMT
Lapwing was referred to have an ultrasound which she had this week, a peer into her insides, which the radiographer seemed to think was all normal and age appropriate, but we will receive a letter to confirm findings. All the medical experts seem to agree that the bleeding was a one off and not the start of puberty.
They are reluctant to explore it any further and I continue to wonder about what caused it.
I am pleased that there is ...' nothing to worry about '... as I was told this week, and I shall sleep easier knowing that at least Lapwing is healthy and normal for her age.... however, 'nothing to worry about' is just a distant and fanciful dream!
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Post by leo on Nov 26, 2017 1:33:36 GMT
I'm glad for both of you that it is not early puberty but as you say, it does raise questions about what it may have been.
I am sure by now you have a long list of odd/unusual things that have happened and maybe for now this simply has to be added to the list and only be wondered about some more if it happens again?
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Post by nzhb on Nov 26, 2017 22:55:48 GMT
As no one will have examined her internally, I wonder if it is possible that she developed a sore area or spot that bled a bit?
It does sound like you will have to wait & see.
good luck.
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