Added: 02/17/2006 |
Evaluation of five basic baby's condition characteristics using the Apgar testWhat could be more important than human's health? This point is the most important influencing all aspects of human's life. It is necessary to take sophisticated care of our health from early beginning - baby's birth. That is why many research works are devoted to newborn testing and care. New technologies provide possibility to judge baby's state in the smallest details.
One of the most popular and effective newborn testing is Apgar test that is aimed to evaluate baby's health condition and activities just after bearing. Often Apgar test becomes a first baby's step in medicine field. This unique test invented by Dr. Virginia Apgar made it possible to evaluate baby's vital functioning and condition within first minutes of the life. The test is significantly important for the latest researches and control testing. The Apgar test has two stages: the first one a minute later after being born and the second is four minutes later. The final result is valued from the average overall of these two test steps. The objects and aims of testing and doctor's observing are heart rate, reflexes, respiration, color, and muscle tone. These are five basic characteristics that should be checked to value the baby's condition. The Apgar scores show the future baby's well doing. The high scoring is a guarantee of excluding problems during the postpartum process. Low Apgar scores serves as an indication of the possible risks and necessary additional strong care.
The first Apgar stage is rating all functions and the second values the process of adaptation outside the womb. The system of color evaluation has two points:
2 points - completely pink skin allover (the oxygen gets to any part of the body);
1 point - pink body but blue arms and legs;
0 points - the baby is blue or pale.
The second step of the testing is baby's respiration assess:
2 points - strong loud cry (the baby is able to breath vigorously);
1 point - weak slow cry;
0 points - no cry at all.
As heart is responsible for many processes and controlling of many functions it is important to go through heart rate evaluating:
2 points - more than a hundred of beats per minute;
1 point - less than hundred of beats at all;
0 points - no beats at all.
Movements are important indication of body's condition:
2 points - active movements, grimace;
1 point - little flexing of body, arms legs;
0 points - no movement.
It is clear that the highest score of the Apgar test is ten:
10-8 - the baby is in a pretty good condition;
Fewer points present a necessity of additional testing and thorough care. It is important not to lose a moment and ask a nurse or a doctor for the Apgar test. Apgar test description can help to realize to parents the significance of such kind of testing. If parents are aware about the scheme of procedure they can pay much attention to not two-point area. The first and second stages of the Apgar test are very important as they can help to use the means of emergency if necessary. A number of other baby tests are preferable. The health of your baby is under your charge.
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