The Apgar Score: What Every Parent Needs to Know!

Ever wondered about the first vital checks for a newborn? Let's talk about the APGAR score!

Developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952, the APGAR test stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. Fun fact: Dr. Apgar was one of only nine women in her med school class at Columbia!
Appearance assesses skin color-pink, blue, or pale.

Pulse checks heart rate, aiming for over 100 beats per minute.
Grimace observes reflexes by stimulating the baby to see how they respond.
Activity assesses muscle tone by gently extending the baby's limbs to check for movement.

Respiration evaluates breathing effort, looking for a hearty cry.
Each category is scored from 0 to 2, with a maximum total of 10. Scores are taken at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. It's rare for a baby to score a perfect 10 initially. If scores are below 5, more medical attention may be needed.

The APGAR score ensures every newborn gets the best start possible!