The AGPAR Score
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The APGAR is a score that the medical staff gives to a new baby at 1 minute after their birth and 5 minutes after their birth. The APGAR stands for
A - Appearance
P - Pulse
G - Grimace
A - Activity (Muscle Tone)
R - Respiration
Each of these measurements are given a score of 0, 1, or 2, depending on the criteria met by the baby. Check out the image above to see generally how each measurement is broken down.
The APGAR score is generally given while the baby is skin-to-skin with their birthing parent, unless there is a medical reason for baby to head to the warmer.
The purpose of this test is to help assess how baby is doing now that they have arrived earthside. While a perfect score is 10, I’ve been told by nurses and other doulas that they never give anything higher than a 9, as they don’t want to jinx anything!
The scores show a snapshot of how baby is doing at each moment in time. Healthcare providers use these scores to make decisions about interventions they may need to use to support a newborn.
Sometimes these scores are said aloud. Sometimes they are posted on the whiteboard in your room. Many times, they are charted and not communicated to families. Each hospital will have their own protocol about how they communicate the APGAR to a family, so if that information feels helpful to you and you don’t already have it - ask!
Another thing to know about APGAR scores is that they are used as evidence for medical decisions that you may encounter during pregnancy and childbirth. Researchers use APGAR as a measurement used to determine if there is a scientific reason to do specific medical treatment plans. For example, Evidence Based Birth analyzed multiple research projects that looked to see if induction at 41 weeks and 0-2 days had significantly better birth outcomes. From one of the trials analyzed, EBB states that one study “found fewer poor health outcomes for babies (e.g., intensive care unit admission, low Apgar scores) with 41-week induction.” APGAR was used in this study as an indicator for a healthier baby. For parents, this means that asking about how the APGAR score might be affected by a medical recommendation can be a helpful tool for making an informed decision.
APGAR is one of many things that healthcare providers are looking for to make sure that your baby is doing great! I hope this information helps you feel a bit more informed about one of the tests happening during the first minutes of your baby’s birth. Knowledge is power - take this knowledge to help you make more informed decisions in your childbirth experience.
Citations:
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists - The APGAR Score
Evidence Based Birth - Evidence on: Inducing for Due Dates
National Institute of Health - APGAR Score
