• Erythromycin antibiotic ointment in his or her eyes to help prevent infection.
• An injection of vitamin k in the thigh to help prevent bleeding
• An examination to check breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, reflexes (apgar score) and temperature. Your baby will also be weighed and measured
• Matching identification bands are put on you and your baby for security reasons

During your hospital stay, you will be encouraged to keep your baby with you all the time (rooming in). Your nurse will help you care for yourself and your baby.

The Apgar Score was created by Dr. Virginia Apgar, and her name can be used as an acronym for the test categories:

A = appearance (skin tone)
P = pulse (heart rate)
G = grimace (reflex reaction to nose/mouth suctioning)
A = activity level (muscle tone)
R = respiration (breathing)

Each category is worth a possible 2 points. (Note: 9/10 is usually considered a perfect Apgar Score because most newborns have bluish hands and feet.)