Most pregnant women only think about labour and birth. However, once your baby is finally born, there are several procedures that are followed soon after.
- The umbilical cord is clamped and cut.
- The baby is given a physical stimulation to help with breathing by giving a brisk rub with a cloth.
- The APGAR score is given. This is a score that helps assess the baby’s health at birth by rating the baby’s skin colour, heart rate, muscle tone, ability to breathe and reflexes. The score is taken at 1 minute after birth and at 5 minutes after birth. A score of 7-10 at one and five minutes means that the baby is doing well. Lower scores may mean that your baby needs more time to adjust to being born, or that your baby needs more specialized care.
- The baby is wiped off and wrapped in warm coverings.
- The doctor/nurse will clean any mucus from the baby’s nose and throat.
- The baby will be given an injection of Vitamin K to prevent any bleeding problems during the first few days of life.
- The baby is further examined for any other physical problems that may be visible.
- He or she will be weighed and height and head circumference will be recorded.
- Your baby will be given an ankle or wrist identification bracelet that matches your own.
- You can put the baby on the breast and continue with bonding with your little one.
