After months of waiting to meet your newborn. The time is finally here. Right after delivery of your newborn, the health care team will attend to him to make sure he is healthy and stable.

What happens right after your baby is born ?

 
Right after the delivery of your baby :

•  Your baby will cry or be helped to cry. Crying in the delivery room is a good sign. It helps him get rid of the excess fluid that may be in his lungs, nose or mouth. The doctor may resuscitate a baby who is having trouble breathing.
• The umbilical cord will be cut and clamped.  The baby receives oxygen and nutrition through the umbilical cord while he is in the womb. Now that he is born and breathing on his  own, his  blood supply is redirected to his lungs. This will enable the health care staff to cut and clamp the umbilical cord
• Your baby will be kept warm. When a baby is born, he is wet from the amniotic fluid and as a result can easily become cold. Nurses will dry his skin, wrap him a blanket and place a knitted hat on his head. They may even use a heated lamp to keep him warm. Having a skin to skin contact with your baby will also help keep him warm.

What is a baby’s APGAR score ?

 
An APGAR  score is designed to check the baby’s condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The baby will be checked for 5 things.
 
A – Activity; muscle tone
P – Pulse rate
G – Grimace; reflex (measured by placing a bulb syringe in the baby’s nose and seeing his response)
A – Appearance; skin color
R – Respiration

Each category is scored from 0 to 2.  The numbers are then added up to a final score . Babies with an Apgar score of 7 or more are in good condition. Babies with lower scores need extra monitoring and care even though most of them will do just fine.

Vitamin K shots after birth

 
Your baby will receive a vitamin K shot  immediately after birth. Newborns are unable to make their own vitamin K. This vitamin is needed to clot blood. The vitamin K shot protects the baby from developing a rare , serious bleeding problem that can affect newborns.

Eye drops after birth

After delivery, your baby’s  eyes will be treated with medicated eye drops or ointment. This is to protect the baby’s eyes from infection that may occur during delivery.

Newborn screening tests.

 
Your baby’s blood sample will be used to check for genetic and biochemical disorders. The baby’s heels will pricked to obtain a few drops of blood. These birth defects may not be obvious at first. However without early intervention and treatment, they  can cause physical problems, intellectual  disabilities and in some cases death. Most babies however receive a clean bill of health.

The newborn may also receive a hearing test. This test measures how the baby responds to sounds.

What other newborn care will my baby need?

 
Measurement : Your baby’s weight, length and head size will be measured. This is to ensure that he is healthy .

Bath : Your baby will be given his first bath as soon as his temperature  is stable.

Footprints and medical bracelet : Your baby’s  footprint will be taken and added to his  medical record.  Babies are usually given two identity bracelet. One on the ankle and the other on his foot. The mother will also be given a matching bracelet.

What if the baby needs special care ?

 
Babies who  need special care may be taken to the neonatal intensive care unit NICU. This is a part of the hospital where babies are cared for using  advanced technology and specially trained health professionals.
 
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