What Is the Apgar Score?
In the minute after your baby is born, the doctor will assess the baby's breathing, pulse/heart rate, movements, skin color, and responses using the Apgar score. Find out what Apgar number is considered normal.
At 1, 5, and 10 minutes, your baby's breathing, pulse, movements, skin color, and responses are assessed. In South Asian and black babies, the color of the mouth, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet are checked. Each is given a score between 0 and 2, called the Apgar score. A total of 7 or more at 1 minute is normal; under 7 means help is needed.
| Apgar score | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin color | Pink all over | Body pink; extremities blue | Pale/blue all over |
| Breathing | Regular strong cry | Irregular, weak cry | Absent |
| Pulse/heart rate | Greater than 100 bpm | Less than 100 bpm | Absent |
| Movements/muscle tone | Active | Moderate activity | Limp |
| Reflexes after given certain stimuli |
Crying or grimacing strongly | Moderate reaction or grimace | No response |