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A Swirl of Activity
Your Baby's First Hours
By Melinda Copp
If your child's Apgar score wasn't in normal range, your doctor will talk to you about what needs to be done and what steps will need to be taken to ensure the health of your baby.
Eye Drops
Your baby's doctor may or may not put antibiotic drops in his eyes to prevent infection. This used to be a standard practice because it protected the eyes in case they were exposed to bacteria in the birth canal. However, some drops can irritate Baby's eyes. "This is becoming more of a variable practice," Dr. Bowen says. "Now many hospitals prefer to culture the mother instead."
Vitamin K
Bacteria in the human intestine makes vitamin K, a vitamin that is required for blood clotting. However, it takes a few days to build up bacteria in a new baby's intestine. Therefore, your baby will get a shot of vitamin K to hold him over. "Without the vitamin K the baby has a chance of developing a serious disease called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn," Dr. Bowen says. 'Thanks to the injection, we rarely see this disease."
Other Delivery Room Procedures
Aside from these tests, your baby will be warmed up with blankets and a knit hat. He or she will be weighed, length and head circumference will be measured and footprints will be taken for records. Either in your room or 
in the nursery, Baby will get his or her first bath. And you will have the opportunity to get to know the newest member of your family. Want to see more?
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