Whether it’s your first child or your third, there’s a lot going on in the first few minutes and hours after their arrival. Words and terms are used that seem like another language in the joyous haze of post-birth mommy brain. One of terms your will hear is your child’s APGAR score. But, what is an APGAR and why is it done?
APGAR
Developed in the early 1950s by the anesthesiologist Virginia Apgar to assess the effects of obstetrical anesthesia on newborns, the Apgar assessment is a very common evaluation of the overall appearance and health of a newborn. The assessment consists of 5 elements: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. Each of the 5 components is given a score from 0-2 and then added to reach a possible total of 10. Newborns are generally assessed at 1 and 5 minutes and the results are compared to be sure the infant is showing improvement.
Score Totals
An infant that scores a 7 or above is considered normal and to be in good health. An infant that scores is the 4-6 range is considered fair or low and may be rechecked at a 10, 15, 20, etc., interval to ensure that the infant is improving. A score of critical is anything under 3 and the infant will be attended by further neonatal specialists to ensure that all body systems are in good health and there are no underlying issues or conditions.
So WHAT are they checking?
The terms may seem confusing, so here’s a quick explanation of what they are looking at and for with regards to a newborn.
- Appearance – this may also be referred to as complexion. The color and skin of the baby is being observed. A blue color or lack of color scores a 0. A score of 1 denotes pink body and slightly blue at extremeties. A score of 2 denotes pink all over. (A score of 2 here is very uncommon because of the nature of blood saturation in the body of a newborn.)
- Pulse – The infant’s pulse is measured. A lack of a pulse scores a 0. A pulse lower than 100 scores a 1. A pulse of 100 or more scores a 2.
- Grimace – This simply mean a reflex or irritability response. If the newborn shows no response to stimulus at all a score of 0 is recorded. A score of 1 is recorded if the infant’s response is a weak cry or grimace. Crying and/or pulling away from stimulation is recorded as a 2.
- Activity – No response or movement is a score of 0. A score of 1 is given to infants who show some flexion. An infant who is flexing both arms and legs and who resist extension of those limbs is given a 2.
- Respiration – This assessment looks at the action a child is exherting to take a breath. The lack of breathing is given a 0. An infant whose respiration is weak or who is gasping or breathing irregularly is given the score of 1. An infant who is breathing well and consistantly with strong cries is given a score of 2.
The Big Picture
Apgar assessments happen routinely and quickly, often without the notice of mom. All 3 of my kids were assessed at 1 and 5 minutes with a resulting score of 9 each time and I never knew any of it happened. The screening is a handy tool for your midwife or doctor(s) and provided quick and univerally understood information to any one who might need it. Although all the screens may seem frightening at first, the Apgar is a simple, noninvasive check to be sure your little one recieves all the attention he or she needs.
Have you head of the Apgar assessment?
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The post APGAR and Your Newborn appeared first on Modern Alternative Pregnancy.