Could someone please explain why we are able to accurately assess Apgar
scores for babies on mom's abdomen in a queensize bed without taking baby
away or vigorously suctioning/wiping/moving them in a birthing center
environment/home birth but not in a hospital?  Is it what we are used to?  Is
the difference because we have "always" taken the baby away from the mom and
we can't learn new tricks, being such old dogs?  There is no rule that says
baby has to be crying lustily -- as long as he/she is breathing, thats what
we are looking for, correct?  And as Anne said, the  heart rate is over 100,
the baby is breathing, and snuggled against mom, you can easily see if the
baby is floppy or has tone.  I think we get bogged down in routine and can't
see how to do things in a different manner.  Sort of like when we moved from
delivery room lithotomy position to birthing beds -- and in some cases, even
"allow" women to birth on all fours.  Imagine!  Difficult to tell if the baby
is ROP or LOA, but guess what....it can be done.....

You can do all sorts of things with baby without taking her away from mom.
 Consider trying it.....

Jan B.  (Soapbox number 487)