Count the kicks is an evidence based guide and tool to helpful to tracking your unborn baby’s movements to improve the chances of delivering a healthy baby and prevent unexpected birth complications or even stillbirth.
When will I start to feel my baby move?
It is so exciting to think about feeling your baby for the first time and expecting mothers can’t wait to feel that first movement. Sometime between 18-25 weeks, moms will begin to feel movement. If this is your first pregnancy you may feel the movement closer to 25 weeks. If this is not your first pregnancy you are likely to feel it closer to 18 weeks.
When to start count the kicks?
Starting at the 3rd trimester you will begin kick counting.
How to do count the kicks
- Pick a time when your baby is most active and count at the same time each day.
- Lie down and begin to count your baby’s kicks/movements such as twists or rolling. You can track the movement with the FREE Count the Kicks! App
- If it takes more than two hours to count 10 kicks you can try waking the baby up and counting again. You can try laying on your left side or drinking ice cold water or orange juice can usually do the trick.
When to call your provider?
Call your provider right away if you still count fewer than 10 kicks in 2 hours, or if you notice a significant change in your baby’s movement pattern.