BabyCues Care After Birth Guide Paperturn Version - Flipbook - Page 5
Baby’s first weeks
There is nothing, absolutely nothing like those first moments of holding your baby. It
truly is an exquisite miracle in motion. But while miraculous, the first few weeks may
bring some normal levels of anxiety for you as you learn about your baby, and yourself. But hopefully the overview of information that follows will alleviate some of that
for you.
Newborn checks
When bubs is first born they will undergo some general checks. Each of these are
done within certain time frames, and your health professional will ideally let you
know the results of all of these if she can.
The first test is the Apgar test, which is a score out of ten that is given to your baby
at one minute and five minutes after birth. This test basically measures your baby’s
health. The outcome of this will be recorded into your child’s record book. The test
looks at five physical signs:
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breathing
heartbeat
colour
muscle tone
response stimulation
The next baby check happens within the first two hours of birth…
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baby’s measurements inclusive of weight, length and head circumference
head is examined inclusive of fontanelles, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, palate, neck
chest is checked with a stethoscope
an abdominal assessment takes place
the umbilical cord is inspected
‘femoral’ pulses at the top of baby’s thighs are checked for pulse measurement
their genitalia is also examined
hips assessed for developmental dysplasia of the hip, occurs in 1-2/100 children
spine is inspected
your baby’s bottom is checked to ensure all is as it’s meant to be
baby’s limbs will also be examined
their level of alertness, tone and posture with be checked
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