Newborn Baby Skin Color: What to Expect & When to Worry

Question
My niece gave birth to a baby girl yesterday after 12 years of marriage.  She seems to be concerned about baby's face color.  She described it as being very purple, almost eggplant!  Should she be concerned, or is it perhaps from the pressure of a 24 hour labor?  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hello Sarah. A newborn often has a bluish color at first which should clear in just a couple of hours. If the color lasts longer than that, it is most likely bruising from a difficult birth- especially if the baby was in a posterior position- meaning the face was delivered looking up at Mom's pubic bone rather than looking down at her buttocks. Hope that helps- Cheri.