Page 83 - 33Elctronic Book (3) Normal Labor

ABCW Principles of Delivery

• Remember the following ABCW principles of delivery to ensure adequate
resuscitation of the infant:
o Airway

o Breathing
o Circulation
o Warmth

Objectives of Immediate Care of the Newborn
• To establish and maintain respiratory function.

• To provide warmth and prevent hypothermia.
• To ensure safety from injury and infection.

To identify actual and potential problems that might require immediate action
Assessment of the Infant's Condition
• The airway: To clear the airway, hold the infant upside down for few seconds and

perform gentle suction to establish breathing, and improve infant's color.
• The APGAR Score: APGAR Score involves consideration of 5 signs, and the
degree to which they are present or absent. It is recorded at 1 and 5 minutes after

birth
The APGAR Score

Sign 0 1 2
Hear rate Absent Slow blew 100 Fast above 140
Respiration Absent Weak crying Good crying

Reflex irritability No response Grimace Good response
Body pink
Color Blue and pale Completely pink
extremities blue

Total Score = 10 Normal= 7 – 10
Mild asphyxia = 4 6 - Severe asphyxia = 0 3 -

• Warmth: It is very important to keep the infant warm at birth because he will lose
heat rapidly through evaporation. So, the labor room should be warm and the infant
should be dried gently and wrapped in a warm dry towel to avoid exposure.

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