If a baby is thought to be at any risk during delivery, a paediatric resuscitation team will be on hand with special equipment to aid the baby in his transition from life in the womb to the outside world. Dramatic physiological changes enabling him to breathe must be achieved by the newborn in the first few minutes after birth. Most babies will do this successfully themselves, but sometimes they require the skilled assistance of a resuscitation team. This is a major advantage of having your baby in hospital, because if anything does go wrong, skilled staff are on hand to ensure your baby’s well-being, as well as your own.
The aim of resuscitation when required is firstly to clear the newborn baby’s airway. This often involves sucking out mucus or meconium (the baby’s waste products) which block the windpipe. Your baby may require additional oxygen for a short period of time. This is provided through a special mask which allows maximal concentration of oxygen to reach his lungs.
Attention is then given to the baby’s heart and circulation and he is kept warm in order to reduce heat loss. Your baby is given a score out of 10 at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth, called the Apgar score. This is a measure of five objective signs in the newborn — heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflexes and colour. A score of 10 indicates a baby in a perfect condition, but this is quite unusual. Most babies reach a score of around 7, which means that they are in a satisfactory condition and do not require resuscitation.
Resuscitation procedures are only used when necessary, and every chance is given for your baby to make it into the world as much on his own steam as is possible. Gentle support is always available, and only becomes more vigorous if there is any imminent danger.
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