What Happens to the Baby After Delivery? Neonatal team; Apgar
scoringHouston, We Have a Baby! Shortly after the baby's birth,
whether it's a vaginal birth or a c-section, the baby will be
evaluated for its ability to adapt and transition normally to
life outside the uterus. To aid in this process, the baby is
transported to a warming unit with a radiant heat source. The
baby (now officially called a neonate) is dried of all moisture,
which helps to minimize the loss of its core temperature. The
nose and mouth of the baby are suctioned to clear the baby of
all secretions and to aid in its first breathing efforts. The
baby should begin crying within the first 30 seconds to one
minute of life. To accomplish this, gentle stimulation is
usually required and accomplished by rubbing the baby's back or
gently stimulating its feet. Some of you may be familiar with
old movies or books that described or depicted the delivering
physician as holding up the baby by its feet in mid air and
spanking the baby's bottom (transl