Developed by anesthesiologist Virginia Apgar in 1952, the Apgar score quickly and summarily assesses the health of the newborn immediately after birth.

Based on the evaluation of the baby's appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex response), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing) the pediatrician rates the newborn with a number between zero and 2 for each category. The numbers are then totaled, with 10 being the perfect score.

Here’s how the baby is rated:
Appearance (skin color)
0 - Blue all over
1 - Blue at extremities, general body pink
2 - No blue with extremities pink

Pulse (Heart rate)
0 – Absent
1 - Fewer than 100 beats per minute
2 - At least 100 beats per minute

Grimace (reflex response)
0 – No response to stimulation
1 – Grimace/feeble cry during suctioning
2 - Sneeze/cough/pulls away when stimulated

Activity (muscle tone)
0 – Limp, no movement
1 –Some flexion of arms and legs
2 - Active motion

Respiration (breathing)
0 – Absent
1 –Weak or irregular crying
2 - Good, strong cry;

Interpreting The Apgar Score
The scoring is generally done at one and five minutes after birth, however, it may be repeated if the score is and remains considerably low.

The One Minute Apgar Score:
Taken at one minute after birth, scores below 3 are regarded as critically low, 4 to 6 fairly low, and between 7 and 9 as normal. Normally a baby doesn't score a perfect 10, as the color of the baby’s hands and feet are always slightly bluish. The results of the Apgar score help the pediatrician decide whether the baby needs immediate medical help.

The Five-Minute Apgar Score
Taken at five minute after birth, the five minute scoring helps to analyze the progress of the baby and whether he has responded to any initial medical support. A score of 7 to 10 is still considered normal at this point, however, if the baby still scores 6 or less at the five-minute mark, he may need medical help based on the category in which he scores low.