Count Those Kicks!
In the third trimester, fetal movement can be an indicator of fetal well-being. Awareness of what is typical for your baby can help you pick up on any potential issues early and take action, which can reduce the risk of stillbirth. Tracking your baby’s movements, called kick counting, can help you in developing this awareness. Besides giving you some peace of mind, kick counting can be a way to slow down and connect with your baby each day. So here’s how to get started counting kicks!
Starting at 28 weeks (or 26 weeks if you’re high-risk or carrying multiples), pick a time of the day when it seems like your baby tends to be active. Try to stay consistent by roughly sticking to this same time each day. Sit down and put your feet up or lie on your left side and place your hands on your belly.
Note the time when you feel the first kick, roll, poke, swish, flutter, or jab (hiccups do not count!). Make sure to note the time when you feel that tenth movement. Over time, you’ll start to notice how long it normally takes for you to feel ten movements.
Tracking what you’re experiencing each day can make it even easier to notice any changes to the normal pattern. For example, if it normally takes about thirty minutes to get to ten movements but it’s now taking almost two hours, that would be a significant change. Make sure to call your care provider right away if you notice a big change in how long it takes to feel ten movements, if you notice a big difference in the strength of the movements, or if you’re not feeling any movement at all.
Kick counting is a powerful and effective tool for monitoring fetal well-being and reducing the risk of stillbirth IF used regularly. Awareness of your baby’s regular movement patterns is key.
Count the Kicks (link below) is “an evidence-based campaign that teaches expectant parents about the importance of tracking fetal movements”.
Check out their website for more information, resources, and to download the free app, which can help you keep track of your baby’s movement patterns over time. Having a record of this data can be invaluable in the event you need to contact your care provider with concerns.
Counting kicks is just one of the items on my To-Do Lists by Trimester spreadsheet. You can find it in my toolkit, called Proactive Pregnancy: Early Essentials for Expectant Parents. Click the button below to check it out!