Do you know that your baby will have a health check as soon as he is born

Newborn babies will have a health check as soon as they are born. Here's what the experts are doing ...

From the moment your baby is born, your baby has been the center of attention, not only from your spouse, but also from midwives and doctors.

They will do a series of routine tests to make sure your baby is healthy, and a few other tests will be done in the delivery room as well.

It's hard to give your baby to the experts right after your baby is born, but it'll be much easier if mom understands the purpose of this ...

 

Newborns will have a physical exam at birth - shutterstock photo

What is the Apgar Index?

Immediately after giving birth you will undergo your first test - the Apgar index method. Apgar stands for Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflexes stimulation), Activity (movement), Respiration (respiration). Its purpose is to quickly assess a baby's physical condition and to see if the baby needs extra care.

The midwife or doctor will check your baby's Apgar score 2 times, the first 1 minute, and then 5 minutes after the baby is born.

The Apgar Index will assess your baby's heart rate, breathing, muscle function, reflexes and skin color. Each criterion has a score of 0-2 points. The results will be calculated as the sum of the scores for all the criteria and range from 0-10 points. Normal stat is 7 or higher.

"Each criterion is rated from 0-2 points, with a total of 10 points"

If your baby has a low score on the first check, it's because he's been affected by the pain reliever - but the second is normal, then it's still considered normal.

The baby will also be weighed, checked for the cavity (soft cavity on the top of the baby's head), measured head circumference and body length, and visually checked any abnormal signs or bruises that might occur. during birth.

The first baby's checkup

Within the first 24 hours, a complete physical exam for your baby will be completed. If you give birth in hospital, your doctor or pediatrician will do this, if you give birth at home, it will be done by your midwives or family doctor. The examination will include:

Heart and lungs

Just a few minutes after the baby is born, the midwife will monitor the baby's breathing and check the heart with a stethoscope. In addition, your baby's lungs will be checked to make sure they are clean and working properly. During the first few days, your baby's circulatory system undergoes a major change, so abnormalities are not uncommon.

Abdominal

The doctor will press the baby's abdomen to check if the kidneys, liver, and spleen are in the correct position and are correctly sized.

Ears and mouths

The doctor will examine the baby's mouth to make sure he doesn't have a cleft palate and examine the ear to check for any unusual discharge.

Hip

Your baby's feet will be slightly rotated to check if they are "deviated" or not. The doctor will push your baby's knees to the chest and then drop them down before pulling them open into a frog-like shape. If the hip dislocates, the doctor will hear a sound. Congenital dislocations, if detected early, can be successfully treated.

Backbone

Your doctor will check for signs of a spina bifida, such as spina bifida.

Genital

For boys, a scrotum check can show if the testicles are in the correct position and the penis is examined to make sure the opening is on the top and not the bottom. Some girls experience white or slightly bloody vaginal discharge from being exposed to the mother's hormones. These hormones can also cause a boy's genitals to swell, all of which is not of concern

Anus

Your doctor will check to make sure the anal opening is open and you will be asked if your baby has passed meconium.

Physical

Your baby will be checked for signs of Down syndrome. If the doctor or midwife is not satisfied with the results of any tests that have been done, further tests may be performed or you may be referred to a specialist in the field.

Eye check

The midwife or doctor will check the baby's appearance and position of the eyes. A light from the fundoscope will be shone into the baby's eye to check for "red reflection".

This is the red / orange reflection from the retina. Any problem such as cataracts, eye infection or cross eye will be detected during this test.

If you give birth at home, these tests will be done by your midwife and family doctor.

Reflection test

Baby's reflexes like grabbing, sucking and swallowing. The midwife will check your baby's sucking reflex by placing a finger in the baby's mouth. The most tested reflex is the Moro, where the midwife will gently drop the baby's head down a short distance. Your baby will respond by holding both arms out with fingers spread and legs outstretched.

Vitamin K test

Vitamin K is important in blood clotting. Many babies have a deficiency of this vitamin at birth and this can lead to dangerous internal bleeding.

Your baby will get extra vitamin K shots. If you want your baby not to have an injection, an oral dose of the vitamin will be given to your baby.

Check heel blood draw

It is done within 5 to 8 days after birth. This may be done by the midwife and is called the Newborn Screening Screening.

The midwife will collect a small blood sample from the baby's heel (this does not hurt the baby) and check to see if the baby is at risk for a rare but very serious genetic disease. These include cystic fibrosis, hypothyroidism and metabolic disorders.

What will happen next?

Most babies pass these tests easily. And some problems most often go away on their own in the first few weeks without treatment. Your doctor or midwife will give you more advice if there's a problem.

If your baby is healthy, the next screening will be scheduled six to eight weeks after birth, and some of these tests will also be repeated.

See more related articles:

10 things parents absolutely avoid when taking care of babies and young children!

Newborn baby's body language: Do you know what you're trying to say?

How should mothers take care of their babies' hair?