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Immediately following birth, infants undergo extensive tests and evaluations to screen for any health anomalies, a fact not commonly known among mothers.
1 Minute After Birth: The Apgar Score Assessment
This evaluates the newborn's overall health status based on skin color, heart rate, reflexes, muscle activity, and breathing patterns. The Apgar score is assessed right after the first minute of life.
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Immediate Skin-to-Skin Contact with Mother
Immediate Skin-to-Skin Contact After Birth enhances both health and emotional connection for mother and baby. It promotes maternal bonding, oxytocin production, uterine contraction, and quicker milk onset for mothers, while stimulating natural reflexes beneficial for the baby's future development.
5 Minutes After Birth: Apgar Score Evaluation
Approximately 5 minutes post-delivery, the baby undergoes another Apgar score assessment to ensure there are no health concerns.
Measuring Weight and Height
About an hour after birth, a comprehensive health assessment leads to measuring the baby's weight, length, head circumference, and body temperature.
Naming the Baby
Assigning names or numbers to newborns helps prevent any mix-up among infants.
Vitamin K Injection
Overall Health Assessment
An additional comprehensive health evaluation is conducted around 72 hours post-birth to check for any abnormalities.
Evaluation for Jaundice
At 72 hours after birth, babies undergo a basic jaundice assessment. There are two types of jaundice: physiological and pathological, caused by the liver's immaturity in eliminating bilirubin from the blood.
- Physiological jaundice occurs in the face, neck, chest, and upper abdomen of newborns, typically resolving within 1-2 weeks. Pathological jaundice covers more extensive body areas.
Hearing Screening
Heel Prick Blood Sample
Between 5-8 days post-birth, a heel prick blood test is conducted to screen for conditions like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, though rarely performed in Vietnamese hospitals.
Umbilical Cord Clamping
Clamping the umbilical cord ensures hygiene and safety, allowing mothers to bathe their baby without worrying about water getting into the navel. Regular navel dressing changes should continue until the navel naturally falls off.
10-Day Post-Birth Health Check
At 10 days post-birth, newborns undergo a comprehensive health examination by pediatricians.
6-8 Week Post-Birth Health Examination
6-8 weeks after birth, infants have their reflexes, movements, height, and weight re-evaluated.
Birth Certificate Registration
Once settled, proceed with the newborn's birth registration, which must be completed within 30 days after birth.
Vaccinations for the Newborn
In the first month, vaccinate the baby starting with BCG as soon as possible, followed by Hepatitis B, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), and other critical vaccines.
Just as mothers endure the taxing journey of childbirth, newborns face numerous assessments and adapt to a new world outside, sharing a similar exhaustion.
Source: Emdep
