Labor - Newborn Care

Newborn Care

As soon as the baby is born and separated from the mother, the baby is received in blankets and the chest gently compressed. When the baby starts crying soon after the birth, respiration is established.

Sometimes the respiratory passage of the baby might be blocked by liquor or meconium in which case the secretions are aspirated. The baby is weighed (birth weight) and the pediatrician checks the baby for any gross congenital abnormality or birth defect. The pediatrician notes down the APGAR score at one and five minutes. Any secretions from the eyes, nose and mouth are cleaned with a cotton ball. Usually no dressing is put on the umbilical cord. The baby is wrapped warmly and is given to the mother as soon as she recovers (which is usually within a couple of hours) to be started on breast-feeding.