Newborn Baby's Care in the Delivery Room

The birth of a baby is one of life's most extraordinary moments . Newborn babies have marvelous abilities; however they are completely dependent on others for every aspect - feeding, warmth, and comfort. Amazing physical changes occur with birth. When the baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is cut and clamped near the navel. This ends the baby's dependence on the placenta for oxygen and nutrition. As the baby takes the first breath, air moves into the lung airways.

Before birth, the lungs are not used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, and need less blood supply. The fetal circulation sends most of the blood supply away from the lungs through special connections in the heart and the large blood vessels. When a baby begins to breathe air at birth, the change in pressure in the lungs helps close the fetal connections and redirect the blood flow. Now, blood is pumped to the lungs to help with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Some babies have excess amounts of fluid in their lungs. Stimulating the baby to cry by massage and stroking the skin can help bring the fluid up where it can be suctioned from the nose and mouth.

A newborn baby is wet from the amniotic fluid and can easily become cold. Drying the baby and using warm blankets and heat lamps can help prevent heat loss. Often a woolen hat is placed on the baby's head. Placing a baby skin-to-skin on the mother's chest or abdomen also helps keep the baby warm. 

Health assessments of the new baby begin immediately. One of the first checks is the Apgar test. A means Activity; muscle tone, P means Pulse rate, G means Expression; reflex irritability, A means Appearance; skin color and R means Respiration. Beware about Newborn Jaundice

Physical examination of newborn baby

• Temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate    
• Measurements of weight, length, head circumference 
•  Umbilical cord care 
• Bath 
• Footprints 

Before a baby leaves the delivery area, identification bracelets with identical numbers are placed on the baby and mother. Babies often have two, on the wrist and ankle. These should be checked each time the baby comes or goes from your room. 
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