A Midwife's Guide - What is an Apgar score?

A Midwife's Guide - What is an Apgar score?

An APGAR score is used to assess your baby's health at birth. In this guide, our midwife Lauren looks in more detail at how your baby’s physical condition is measured and what you can expect to learn. This includes looking into the following aspects:

• Appearance (skin colour)
• Pulse (heart rate)
• The reflex irritability (grimace)
• Muscle tone
• Breathing effort (respiration)

By understanding the different components of the APGAR score, you can gain a deeper understanding of your baby's overall health and wellbeing at birth. It’s important to note that, while the APGAR score can provide valuable information, it’s not meant to be a definitive measure of your baby's future development.

More Postnatal Support

Did you find this resource on this APGAR score helpful? Are you looking for more resources to support your journey as a new parent?

The Twinkl Midwife area of our Pregnancy and Baby hub has the answer to any questions you might have about the postnatal period. You could take a look at our guides to bringing your baby home, postnatal appointments and health visitors to find out more about what happens next.

By staying informed and educated about your postpartum journey, you can better navigate through the challenges and changes that come with being a new parent. It's important to remember that every parent and baby's experience is unique, so don't be afraid to reach out for support and advice when you need it.

What is the APGAR score?

The APGAR score is a tool used to assess the health of newborns right after they are born.  The score is taken at one, five and ten minutes of age and helps healthcare professionals assess the condition of your baby at birth. It enables healthcare professionals to promptly identify infants in need of medical attention or further assessment. It assists in making decisions regarding resuscitation, oxygen therapy or other supportive interventions during the moments following birth. Let’s take a closer look at each part of the APGAR score.