What Is the Apgar Score?
At 1, 5, and 10 minutes, your baby's breathing, pulse, movements, skin color, and responses are assessed. In South Asian and black babies, the color of the mouth, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet are checked. Each is given a score between 0 and 2, called the Apgar score. A total of 7 or more at 1 minute is normal; under 7 means help is needed.
| Apgar score | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin color | Pink all over | Body pink; extremities blue | Pale/blue all over |
| Breathing | Regular strong cry | Irregular, weak cry | Absent |
| Pulse/heart rate | Greater than 100 bpm | Less than 100 bpm | Absent |
| Movements/muscle tone | Active | Moderate activity | Limp |
| Reflexes after given certain stimuli |
Crying or grimacing strongly | Moderate reaction or grimace | No response |
Excerpted from Pregnancy Day by Day.
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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