Page 77 - What to Expect

Glossary

Apgars: A numerical scoring system, usually applied at one and five
minutes after the birth of all newborn babies. This is to evaluate the
condition of the baby based on heart rate, respiration, muscle tone and
colour. Scores are on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the best score.
Baby’s condition can alter either way after the first five minutes and
therefore your baby can have two Apgar scores that are usually of different
values.

Apnoea: The temporary stopping of breathing by the baby.
Apnoea monitor: A monitor connected to the baby with a sensor, to
specifically detect apnoea.
Apnoea mattress: A monitor that uses a sensitive flat pad or mattress to
detect apnoea.
Aspiration: Breathing of material into the windpipe (trachea) or lungs, or
the removal of material from the windpipe, lungs or stomach by suction.

Asphyxia: A lack of oxygen and high carbon dioxide level in the blood and
tissues.
B

Bagging: A slang word to describe the procedure of applying a mask
connected to a squeezable bag over the baby’s mouth and nose to achieve
ventilation of the lungs.

Bilirubin: The name of the breakdown product of red blood cells. Excess
amounts cause jaundice, a yellowing of the skin. Bilirubin is excreted in
faeces.
Blood gas test: A test performed on a sample of arterial blood to be sure
that the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream are
normal.
Blood count: A test of a sample of blood to tell the numbers of red and
white blood cells. Also known as a FBC.
Blood pressure (BP): The pressure or force that the blood exerts against
the walls of the arteries in circulation. It is described by two numbers;
systolic (the top or high number) and diastolic (the low or bottom
number).

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