WITHIN THE FIRST HOUR

EYES

The eye position and appearance will be examined. A light will be shone into the eyes to check for the red reflex likened to the “red-eye” effect you get in photographs. Any red reflection may denote cataracts or other eye defects. All babies receive antibiotic eye drops directly after the birth to combat against any bacteria that they may have picked up passing through the birth canal.

WEIGHT & HEAD MEASUREMENTS

Your baby will also be weighed and his length and head circumference measured. This will help in formulating his growth chart over time.

The shape of the head and your baby’s “soft spot” or fontanelle will be checked. The midwife will also look out for any bruising on the head caused by an assisted delivery where forceps or suction device was used.

BODY

An “all over '' examination of your baby’s body will be done, including the inside of his mouth for any abnormalities like a cleft-palate.

All fingers and toes will be counted, his temperature will be taken, and his abdomen will be felt gently for possible organ abnormalities.

A vitamin K injection will be given to help with blood clotting and prevent any unnecessary bleeding.

GENITALS AND BOTTOM

This check is undertaken soon after birth and also done at your baby’s 6-week postnatal visit to the paediatrician or midwife. The midwife checks to see if the genitals and anus are normal in appearance and particularly if your baby is a boy, whether he can urinate normally. It might occur that the urethra (the opening through which urine passes out) might be below the penis as opposed to the tip. This can be corrected surgically. A boy’s testicles descend from just below the kidneys, through his lower abdomen and into the scrotum shortly after birth. The midwife checks to make sure that the testicles have descended. If they have not, surgery will be necessary at around 1 year.

REFLEXES

Your baby has five main reflexes to survive the first weeks of life:

■ He must be able to turn his head toward an object (like when a nipple is touching his cheek) as well as open his mouth in order to breastfeed. This indicates the rooting reflex.

■ The sucking reflex will follow when he opens his mouth to bite on the areola.

■ The grasping reflex refers to your baby’s ability to tightly grasp a finger put into his hand.

■ Moro reflex is when his arms and legs stretch out when he is suddenly startled by movement or loud noise.

■ Lastly, the walking reflex is assessed by holding the baby upright, under his arms with his feet on a firm surface to determine if he can mimic walking steps. The walking reflex must disappear from 6 weeks of age in order to reappear from 12 months, when he may be ready to start walking.

These five main reflexes indicate your baby’s neurological status accurately enough.