Apgar Scores

by | Jul 15, 2012 | blog, Featured

The Apgar score is done at one and five minutes old and at ten minutes if necessary.  It is usually done without you even realizing it.  A nurse will assess your baby at one minute old, often just visually, and assign a score from 0-10 points.  She will do the same at five minutes of age.  Common Apgar scores are 8 and 9, meaning an 8 at one minute and a 9 at five minutes.  The scores are based on the five following criteria: Heart Rate (absent = 0 pts, below 100 = 1 pt, over 100 = 2 pts) Respiratory Effort (absent = 0pts, slow/irregular = 1 pt, good/crying = 2 pts) Muscle Tone (flaccid = 0 pts, some flexion of extremities = 1 pt, active motion = 2 pts) Reflex Irritability (no response = 0pts, grimace = 1pt, cry = 2pts), and Color (blue/pale = 0 pts, body pink/extremeties blue = 1pt, completely pink = 2 pts). Obviously, the lower the score, the more assistance the baby will need in making the transition from a uterine environment to “life on the outside.”  Nurses will often vigorously stimulate a baby just after birth to expedite this major transition.  It is wonderful for a brand new baby to cry for a few moments just after birth.  That’s how he/she clears the lungs and transitions to breathing air.  If you’d like to know your baby’s Apgar scores, ask your labor and delivery nurse.

You might also like

Whispers of Hope: Nurturing Life Amidst the Shadows of Loss

Whispers of Hope: Nurturing Life Amidst the Shadows of Loss

This time of year has me thinking of a bittersweet story in my doula career. We had a client who was due with her first baby in mid-February. On December 21 she presented with preeclamptic symptoms that warranted an early induction at 33 weeks gestation. This client...

The Birth Team: A Sports Analogy

The Birth Team: A Sports Analogy

While the role of a doula in the birthing process is well-established, sometimes, a fresh perspective can help us better understand the depth of their support and care. So, let's explore a fun sports analogy to shed light on the significance of doula support during...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This