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apgar scores

apgar scores are measurements and observations made by a health professional at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess a newborn's health.

the health professional checks 5 areas and gives the newborn a score ranging from 0 to 2 in each of the 5 areas. with 2 being the highest number a baby can get in each area, when the scores are added up, the maximum score is 10. a total score of 7 to 10 is normal.

the 5 areas checked include the newborn's:

  • heart rate.
  • skin colour.
  • muscle tone (judged by whether the newborn's arms and legs are flexed or limp).
  • breathing.
  • reflex irritability (judged by whether the newborn cries or reacts when the skin is stroked or touched).

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