The 'Apgar score' was named after an American doctor, Virginia Apgar. The scoring system was first introduced in the 1960's and utilises five physical signs of the baby at birth (giving each sign a possible score of 0, 1 or 2) to reach a total assessment of up to 10 points each time given.
The score is usually given by the caregiver when the baby is 1 minute old and again when they are 5 minutes old. However, if the baby takes longer to fully breathe and respond, the scoring may continue, given again at 7 minutes and possibly also at 10 minutes of age.
The Apgar score was designed to standardise the way caregivers evaluated the baby's 'condition' or physical wellbeing at birth, helping to provide a general understanding of how well the baby had made the physical transition to independent life. These days there is much controversy about whether the Apgar score is a valid tool and opinions vary about its importance. Currently in Australia, your baby's Apgar score will be documented by your caregivers on much of your paperwork and it is used for statistical records by government health departments and for some aspects of various research studies.
The Apgar scoring system
How is the Apgar done?
What causes a low Apgar score?
The Apgar scoring system
The following table shows the 5 physical signs of the Apgar score and the physical signs considered when giving the score. A score of 0,1 or 2 is given for each sign. The first score is carried out at 1 minute after the full birth of the baby's body. The score is then repeated again at 5 minutes of age. The scoring may be repeated at 7 minutes and possibly again at 10 minutes of age if the baby is unwell.
The 5 minute Apgar score is regarded as more important and reflective of the baby's overall health, than the 1 minute Apgar score. A total Apgar score of 8-10 is regarded as good, 5-7 can indicate that the baby is mildly unwell, 3-4 reflects moderate poor health and 0-2 is very poor health.