Let's talk about the Apgar Score, the test that your baby goes through after birth!

How excited are you for your little one to come into this world? After your baby is born, there are several tests that doctors and nurses do right away. One of the most important of these is called the Apgar Score . You may have heard this term before. So, let's talk about it in a simple, easy-to-understand way today. There's nothing to worry about, this is not something to scare the baby, it's just a small test to get an initial idea of ​​the baby's well-being .

What is the Apgar Score?

Simply put, the Apgar Score is a score given to your newborn baby right after birth. It's like your baby's first "report card." But it doesn't predict your baby's intelligence or future development. It's mainly used to determine whether your baby's basic bodily functions are functioning properly after birth and whether they need immediate medical attention.

This test is done by doctors and specialists. They give these scores one minute after the baby is born, and again five minutes later. Sometimes, if they feel that they need to be a little more careful about the baby's condition, they can repeat this test after 10, 15, or 20 minutes.

When do you do this? Why is that?

As we mentioned before, this Apgar test is mainly done twice:

1. Within the first minute of birth: This is when we look at how the baby is adjusting to this new environment as soon as it comes out of the womb, and whether its body systems are starting to function. This will help us understand what kind of help the baby needs immediately.

2. 5 minutes after birth: At this time, the baby's condition is checked again. Most babies are better now than they were at the first minute. This second checkup assesses how well the baby has adjusted to the environment and whether any special care is needed.

Think about it, when we suddenly move to a new place, it takes us a while to get used to it. Babies are the same way. When they come out of the warmth and safety of their mother's womb, they take a while to get used to this world. That's why we check at 1 and 5 minutes.

What does the Apgar test actually measure?

This is very easy to remember. The five letters APGAR are the only way to remember these five points. Each of these letters stands for an English word. Let's understand each one in Sinhala :

1. A – Appearance – The baby's skin color:

• This is to check the baby's skin color . Is the entire body a nice pink color, or is the body pink with only the limbs a little blue, or is the entire body blue or pale?
• Why is this important? The color of the skin can tell us whether the baby's blood is circulating properly and whether the blood is getting enough oxygen. A baby who is getting enough oxygen is usually pink.

2. P – Pulse – Baby's heart rate :

• This measures the baby's heart rate. The doctor or nurse will check this by placing their hand on the baby's chest or using a stethoscope .
• Why is this important? Heart rate is a basic sign of life. It tells you how strong and healthy your baby's heart is. If it's more than 100 beats per minute, that's great. (A baby's heart rate is faster than ours.)

3. G – Grimace response – Responses to external stimuli (Reflexes):

• This involves observing how the baby responds to a small amount of stimulation. For example, sometimes you might gently pat the baby's hand or sole, or do something small near their nose (e.g., wipe it).
• Why is this important? If your baby is crying well, sneezing, coughing, or trying to get away with his or her limbs, it means that his or her reflexes are working well. This can give you an idea of ​​how well your baby's nervous system is functioning.

4. A – Activity – Muscle tone:

• This checks how the baby's limbs move, whether there is muscle tone, or whether the body is jerky.
• Why is this important? A baby who is moving their arms and legs well, with their arms and legs slightly bent, is showing that their muscles are working well. If they seem limp, or if they seem to fall over when you lift them, you should pay attention to that.

5. R – Respiration – Breathing rate and effort:

• This is to check how the baby is breathing. A baby who is crying well and vigorously is usually breathing well. The rate of breathing, the rhythm of breathing, and the effort of breathing are also checked. Whether the baby is breathing slowly, irregularly, or not at all is also important here.
• Why is this important? Oxygen is essential for life. It is very important for a baby to breathe properly on its own.

How are the grades given?

Now we know what the five factors are. Each of these factors can be given a score of 0, 1, or 2.

• 0 points: That means there is no relevant action at all.
• Score 1: That means it's there to some extent, but not completely good.
• Score 2: This means that the relevant action is very good and healthy.

So, the total Apgar Score is obtained by adding up the scores for all five items. The maximum score is 10 (2 points for each item, 10 points for 5 items).

But remember this: Very few babies get a perfect 10 out of 10! Most babies get a score of 7, 8, or 9. The main reason for this is that even very healthy babies can have a slightly blue color to their fingertips and toes right after birth. This is called `(Acrocyanosis)`. This is because it takes a while for the blood circulation to reach the ends of the limbs until the baby's body warms up a bit. This is very normal and nothing to worry about. It will go away after a while.

Usually:

• Scores of 7 to 10: Means the baby is in good health and does not require any special treatment.
• Scores 4 to 6: The baby may need some minor assistance. For example, you may need to suction the baby's nose and mouth, provide skin stimulation, or give them oxygen for a while.
• If the score is less than 4: The baby needs urgent medical attention. This means things like helping the baby breathe and getting their heartbeat back to normal.

Should we be worried if the Apgar score drops?

This is the biggest question that many parents have. When the Apgar Score drops, some people wonder, "Is something seriously wrong with my baby?"

No, don't worry about it.

• Although scores may be slightly lower in the first minute, most babies' scores increase in the 5-minute test. This means that the baby is gradually adjusting to the world.
• The Apgar score is only an indication of the baby's condition at that moment. It does not say anything about the baby's future health, intelligence, behavior, or how smart he or she will be. Keep this in mind.
• This scoring system is designed to help doctors and nurses make quick decisions. It's used to understand, "What kind of help does this baby need right now?"
• Sometimes, if the baby was born with a difficult delivery or was born prematurely, the Apgar score may be slightly lower. However, the medical team knows how to help the baby in such a situation.

Think about it, some babies are a little slow to adjust to this world when they're born. If you give them a little help, like giving them oxygen for a while, they'll get better quickly.

Things you need to know (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so, here are the most important things to keep in mind from what we've talked about:

• The Apgar Score is a quick test performed immediately after birth to get a brief idea of ​​a baby's current health status.
• This mainly looks at five things: the baby's skin color, heart rate, response to stimuli, muscle activity, and breathing.
• It is very rare to get a perfect score of 10 out of 10. It is common to get a score of 7, 8, or 9.
• A low Apgar score doesn't say anything about the baby's future. It's just something to see if the baby needs help at that time.
• Doctors and nurses are always there to help you and your baby. So, if you have any questions or doubts, never be afraid to ask them.

We all hope that your baby comes into this world healthy and happy! I hope you now have a better understanding of the Apgar Score.