Overview
The First Minutes After Birth
At birth, placental gas exchange stops and the newborn must aerate the lungs, establish effective breathing, and redirect blood flow through the pulmonary circulation.
At birth, placental gas exchange stops and the newborn must aerate the lungs, establish effective breathing, and redirect blood flow through the pulmonary circulation. The Apgar score gives the team a standardized snapshot of how that transition looks at a defined time. It does not replace the immediate assessment of breathing and heart rate, and it must never delay ventilation or other resuscitation.