Right after the baby is born, they receive a score based on their physical condition. This score is important to determine if there are any issues that need to be investigated and whether there is a need for oxygen treatment or another procedure that needs to be done. The score is called the Apgar score, and it is given in 2 phases after the baby’s birth—at the first minute and the fifth minute of the baby’s life.

When it is Done

The Apgar score1 is done right after birth by the pediatrician in the delivery room. You know those moments when the baby is either alone with the doctor or even being assessed together with the mother in humanized births? At that moment it is possible to know if something is wrong, especially regarding the baby’s breathing. In fact, the Apgar score specifically assesses the baby’s respiratory activity, but during the Apgar assessment the following are also evaluated:

What is Evaluated in the Baby’s Apgar

  • Skin color
  • Type of breathing
  • Baby’s reflexes
  • Muscle tone
  • Heart rate

Each assessment item is scored from 0 to 2, and these are added together resulting in the values we usually see for babies assessed by the Apgar score—so scores like 10/10, 9/10, or 7/8 refer to the sum of these assessed requirements. The first score is given at the first minute, and the second score at the fifth minute of the baby’s life.

Video About Apgar

As soon as the pediatrician takes the baby to clean, the Apgar assessment begins. The doctor tests the baby’s reflexes, to see if the baby is afraid of falling and tries to hold on by raising their hands. Irritability to touch is also checked. If touching the belly makes the baby contract, respond by crying, or gets irritated by the suctioning of fluids, the famous aspiration of the baby2, then everything is fine and the baby can get a higher score, i.e., 2.

In fact, the Apgar test also investigates whether the baby has asphyxia3. Breathing is assessed with a stethoscope and also affects another aspect, skin color. If the baby is well oxygenated, the skin will be pink. If poorly oxygenated, the skin will be purplish, meaning the baby needs oxygen at that moment.

Asphyxia can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, which are the cases that receive scores from 0 to 1. Although it can be frightening, the Apgar test usually only matters at the moment of birth and does not affect the child in the future unless the baby has low scores between 5 and 0.

Apgar Test Scores

The final scores—that is, the total from the Apgar test—are the main ones to be considered. They can show that:

Apgar between 8 and 10> The baby is breathing on their own and is in good physical condition Apgar between 7 and 5> The baby needs help to breathe, whether just with massage and oxygen Apgar between 5 and 0> The baby needs more medical attention and constant supervision

Usually, the first score right after the baby’s birth is the lowest; at five minutes it tends to be higher and you can find out your baby’s Apgar score even before leaving the delivery room. The pediatrician will definitely inform the mother about the baby’s score and whether the newborn will need any assistance.

Type of Delivery and Apgar Score

One thing that is not often mentioned to the mother in the maternity ward is that the Apgar score is also related to the type of birth the mother has. If the delivery involved analgesia or anesthesia, for example, the baby tends to be floppier and lazier at birth. Although the medications are absolutely safe for their intended use during childbirth, this is very important as it is up to the anesthesiologist to administer correctly for a good Apgar score for the baby.

Blogger’s Note

My children had different Apgar scores. During Joana’s birth, when there were some breathing problems, her Apgar was 6 at the first minute and 9 at the fifth minute. Even so, she had to stay in the hospital for respiratory complications.

During Dudu’s birth it was calmer, but he was born a bit sluggish because of the high amount of anesthetic I received in the delivery room, and his Apgar was 8/9. With Melissa, her Apgar was the best of the three; she got 10/10 and cried loudly!

Joana gave me a real scare, because her cry was weak and she had to stay in the hospital for 10 days with respiratory problems. But today she’s a beautiful and healthy young woman. So don’t be too alarmed by an Apgar score below 10; 8 or 9 are also excellent scores. For lower scores, doctors will know how to act at the time of birth.

See also: Different and Interesting Types of Childbirth

Photo: Felipe Katsumata