Apgar Scoring and Newborn

At birth, the newborn changes from placental circulation and a fluid-filled environment to air exchange through the lungs. The Apgar score is a standardized description of the newborn's condition at a specified time and of the response to care. It does not replace continuous assessment of breathing and heart rate, and calculating it must never delay ventilation or other resuscitation. Before every birth, a trained and equipped professional should have primary responsibility for the newborn, with additional team members assembled when risk is identified. During stable skin-to-skin care, continue to observe breathing, colour, temperature, and airway position.