Breastfeeding Dilemmas

Nipple tenderness Nipple tenderness is very common in the first week. It can be exacerbated by soaps and fabrics that irritate the skin. Insufficient milk “Not enough milk for the baby.” The best indicator that the baby is getting enough…

Assessment of gestational age and size

The most reliable method of estimating gestation age is using the last normal menstrual period (LNMP). Other methods include sonography, or the Ballard method, post-partum. Small for gestational age (SGA) is not synonymous with low birth weight (LBW). SGA implies…

Neonatal Resuscitation

Neonates delivered with apnoea require resuscitation. Effective resuscitation can prevent most neonatal deaths at birth. The first 60 seconds are the most critical (golden minute) – positive pressure ventilation should be started during this period. Definition of terms Term Definition…

APGAR Score

Virginia Apgar (1909-1974) is credited with the scoring system used to determine whether the baby is responding to resuscitative efforts and the baby’s status at delivery. It is NOT a predictor of long-term outcome, but is likely a predictor of…