After your baby has been delivered, the doctor will give him a numerical score based on how well he is functioning outside of the womb. This test is called an Apgar score and it will be taken at one minute and five minutes after delivery. The test will be used to rate a newborn baby's appearance, pulse, muscle activity, responsiveness and breathing. Your baby can score a 0,1 or 2 in each field, with a total score of 0-10.

0-Baby is limp and has no movement
1-Baby shows some flexion of the arms and legs
2-Baby is moving well and active

0-Baby's heart rate is absent
1-Baby's heart rate is less than 100 bpm
2-Baby's heart rate is atleast 100 bpm

0-Baby has no response to airways being suctioned out
1-Baby shows grimace during the suctioning process
2-Baby shows grimace, pulls away, coughs or sneezes during suctioning process

0-Baby's entire body is grayish-blue or pale
1-Baby's body shows good color, but feet and hands are bluish
2-Baby shows good color on entire body

0-Baby is not breathing
1-Baby has a weak cry or whimper, slow or irregular breathing
2-Baby has a strong cry with normal breathing rate

The one minute score will help your doctor decide if the baby needs immediate medical care. If the baby scores between a 7 and a 10, no medical care is usually needed. However, do not be dissapointed if your baby does not score a perfect 10. If a score of 4 to 6 is given, your baby may need additional help breathing. He could need extra suctioning of the nose or he may require oxygen. If your baby scores a 3 or less, immediate lifesaving medical care will be given.

The five minute score helps the doctor see how well the baby's condition is improving. It will show whether the baby has responded to any necessary medical interventions that were done at the one minute check. A score of 7 to 10 is considered normal and anything under a 6 may need additional medical help.

Comments: Apgar Score

Comments 1 to 18 of about 18.
1

babyblue5989 - 58 days ago.
hi all im from the uk and my son got apgar score 9 @1 minute and 9 @5minutes

karinaM - 99 days ago.
my baby got a 9 on both the 1st and 2nd. she cried right away and was moving when they put her in mu tummy. she is now 5 weeks and 3 days, and i love her......

Rosieb - 115 days ago.
My 3 sons all scored 9 on their 1st test. 10 on the second. But my daughter got a perfect 10 first time. They didnt even have to suction her. Guess coz she was a couple of days over due and ready for the world. Lol

SammyGW - 116 days ago.
My baby's Apgar scores were 1 and 2 at birth. He had a very rough start. I was pushing for 5 and half hours!! He was born at 37 weeks and weighed 6lbs. 15 oz. The birth was completely mismanaged and frankly I think he's lucky to be alive given the circumstances - really, it was an absolute NIGHTMARE!!!! He ended up in the NICU a few days after birth because he had a mysterious fever, was practically comatose and therefore wasn't eating and was Jaundiced. Remarkable he's doing great now. He's 15 months old and although he is a little speech delayed the doctors aren't too concerned about it as of yet. Otherwise he is a healthy happy toddler who is developmentally on track.

usagi - 130 days ago.
Paige had a 1 min Apgar of 2. I heard her cry when she came out so she must have gotten at least a 1 in respiration and a 1 in pulse. Not sure what her 5 min Apgar was but it must have been low too since they did another at 10 min, where she finally got a 9.

kelly.m - 143 days ago.
Thanks Heather, ive just never heard of it thats all.

kelly.m - 143 days ago.
does anybody know if we get this done in the UK or is it just a US thing?

alicia1984 - 149 days ago.
internetjunkietiff wrote something back in Dec. about why she wasn't sure what her baby scored a 1 in. I'm guessing it'd be Appearance because from what I've learned as a student in labor and delivery it's rare for babies to get a perfect 10 on the apgar. Most get 8 or 9. They take points away for color.

JulianneH - 154 days ago.
My lil man scored a 7 at first and than a 9 at the 5 min one. When he came out he came so fast when my husband cut the cord he forgot how to breathe. The drs said he was stunned because it happened so fast. He is almost 4 weeks and is doing great!

momof2luvbugs - 154 days ago.
My daughter is my miracle. I was 17 when I got pg with her, and I had just turned 18 right before her bday. She had the cord wrapped around her neck a couple times so tight that every time I pushed, it'd tighten. They manually cut the cord while she was technically still inside of me, and when she was born she was not breathing, moving or crying. Her first real breath was fluids. She scored a 1 first (practically dead) and they put her on a ventilator and scored again at 9. She's has nothing wrong with her now and she's absolutely amazing. She's my miracle baby!

haydensmommy08 - 155 days ago.
I was in labor all day and we finally decided for a c-section because she was molding and the ob didn't think she'd fit (when she did the c-section she said that I'd never be able to have a baby vaginally...) anyways, her apgar scores were 4 but then after 5 minutes went up to 9.. she's 9 days old now and doing great!

LEANIE093 - 156 days ago.
My boy was born a day after my due date ( @ 40 wks ) & he scored an 8, 9. Weighing 7lbs. 4oz. AND considering it was a natural birth he came out with a perfect round head, not a cone head like other babies that are pushed out. Everyone thought he was by c-section when they saw him.Regardless he is healthy as can be!! =]

lin - 169 days ago.
My son was born via emergency section at 36 weeks. He was 6lbs 9 ounces and his scores were 9 and 10! Go baby go!!

theshimel - 171 days ago.
my daughter rocked her apgar score!!! a couple months ago i was transferring files for some reason and i went and got my hospital ones and i read them on the way and i don;t know what her 1 minute score was but the 5 minute one was a fricken 10!!!!!!!

internetjunkietiff - 210 days ago.
My youngest was born at 29 weeks 3 days and she got a 9, 9 on her apgar! I didn't realize a preemie could do so well. I'm honestly not sure which one she got only a 1 on! I wonder if I can ask her pediatrician

pepipoodle - 235 days ago.
my first son was born by emergency c section full general anesthetic @ 38 weeks due to severe distress , he was 4lb 1 oz born as they found i had had a placental abruption and that the placenta had stopped working prior to birth so Mack had lost weight due to being starved in my womb his apgar scores were 2 at 1 min and 7 at 5 mins , onset of resps 4 mins . But he is now a fine happy healthy cheeky intelligent normal 4 year old . My daughter was born at 38 weeks emergency c section with epidural after failed induction and being distressed .She weighed 5lb 14 oz and her apgar was 7 at 1 min and 9 at 5 mins . onset of resps under 1 min . Lacy is a now 2 and also perfect in every way . So ladies please dont be too worried by bad apgars as things can work out ok after . Take care . Sarah xx

JH - 251 days ago.
my baby had a great score...8 or 9. and he was only 6 lbs 2 oz. at 39 weeks.

skmommyof3 - 354 days ago.
I had a preemie, born at 25 1/2 weeks gestation, his apgars were 6 and 7!! He was a pound and a half. this just helped me understand better where the numbers came from!!!

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