“The Newborn Exam for the Student Midwife was the perfect addition to my apprenticeship. It was clear and easy to follow and allowed me to practice the examination with other students. Thank you for providing such an indepth resource for students. I recommend it for anyone who is already in an apprenticeship or just wanting to brush up on this knowledge or add to what they are already learning. It will fit into any of the many different educational paths as another learning tool.”

Kim Trower
Mother to Mother Midwifery Care
Presenters:

Lainna Wheatley BScM MScM
Elizabeth Herman RN CBE
Barbara Barta RM
Prudence J. Todd BScN DpM

Part I The Newborn Exam
Part II Common Newborn Reflexes
Part III Gestational Age Assessment
Part IV Review of the Newborn Exam
Special Feature – “Prepuce” Newborn Male Foreskin

Part I The Newborn Exam
Introduction
Equipment

1. General Appearance
2. General Measurements
3. Temperature
4. Skin
5. Head
6. Eyes
7. Ears
8. Nose
9. Mouth and throat
10. Neck
11. Chest
12. Lungs
13. Heart
14. Abdomen
15. Female Genitalia
16. Male Genitalia
17. Back and Rectum
18. Extremities
19. Neuromuscular system
20. Neonate Transport
21. Breastfeeding Demonstration

Twin Home Waterbirth

Part II
Common Newborn Reflexes
Introduction

1. Rooting
2. Sucking
3. Swallowing
4. Tonic neck reflex
5. Moro’s
6. Palmer or grasp
7. Gag
8. Babinski’s
9. Plantar
10. Stepping
11. Trunk incurvation

Part III
Gestational Age Assessment
Introduction

A) External Signs

1. Edema
2. Skin Texture
3. Skin Color
4. Skin Opacity
5. Lanugo
6. Plantar Creases
7. Nipple Formation
8. Breast Size
9. Ear Form
10. Ear Firmness
11. Genitalia Male
12. Genitalia Female

B) Neurological Signs

1. Posture
2. Square Window
3. Ankle dorsiflexion
4. Arm Recoil
5. Leg Recoil
6. Popiteal Angle
7. Heel to Ear
8. Scarf Sign
9. Head Lag
10. Ventral Suspension