Apgar scores

Apgar scores are measurements and observations made by a health professional at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess a newborn's health.

The health professional checks 5 areas and gives the newborn a score ranging from 0 to 2 in each of the 5 areas. With 2 being the highest number a baby can get in each area, when the scores are added up, the maximum score is 10. A total score of 7 to 10 is normal.

The 5 areas checked include the newborn's:

• Heart rate.
• Skin color.
• Muscle tone (judged by whether the newborn's arms and legs are flexed or limp).
• Breathing.
• Reflex irritability (judged by whether the newborn cries or reacts when the skin is stroked or touched).