What Is Apgar Test?
Soon after your baby is born various tests will be conducted on you baby to check if your baby is fine. Apgar tests measure baby’s heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, skin color and reflex response.
For each of the test, a score of 2, 1 or 0 is given. A score of 2 would mean that the baby is entirely healthy and 0 is for no response. Of the total 10 (5 tests with a max score of 2), most babies score between 7 and 10. Occasionally the tests are repeated after some time to check if the baby’s response has improved.
Here’s a break-up of points given for various tests.
Skin color (appearance)
Pale or blue – 0 points
Body pink/Extremities blue – 1 point
Pink all over – 2 points
Heartbeat (pulse)
Not detectable – 0 points
Below 100 – 1 point
over 100 – 2 points
Reflex (grimace)
No response to stimulation – 0 points
Grimace – 1 point
Lusty cry – 2 points
Muscle Tone (activity)
Flaccid (weak or no activity) – 0 points
Some Movements – 1 point
A lot of activity – 2 points
Respiration
None – 0 points
Slow or irregular – 1 point
Good – 2 points
