How To Count Baby Kicks

The fetal kick count is the count of any movements that the unborn baby makes such as jabs punches rolls twists and turns.

How to count baby kicks. You haven t felt 10 baby movements in those two 2 hour periods. Get a paper and pen and mark it down. Counting baby kicks helps you to bond with your baby. Stop counting when you reach 10 and note the time.

Tumbles kicks and punches all count no matter how subtle. 10 movements of any kind in an hour or less is normal though sometimes it will take longer. Count movements of any kind fetal kicks flutters swishes rolls. Keep a tally of how many you feel.

Pick your time based on when your baby is usually active. If there s a noticeable change in your baby s movement pattern over three or four days. In a notebook record the time you feel the first fetal mo v ement place a checkmark for each movement you feel until you reach 10 then record the time of the tenth movement. If the fetal kick count is not normal then this could be a sign of fetal distress.

Here are some helpful tips. Be relaxed and pay attention cheney says. Count fetal movements once a day preferably at the same time every day and within 1 to 2 hours after a meal. For example your provider may suggest that you choose a time of day when your baby tends to be active.

All those kicks swishes rolls and jabs you feel. Every pregnancy and every. You ll begin to notice a pattern of what s normal for your baby. You re counting baby s kicks and movements to monitor how he or she is doing.

Research shows that babies are often the most active at night. Here is the count to ten method to do the kick count download the graph here. Call your ob if. Record baby s movements and how long it took to reach 10 of them.

Ideally you ll want to do the counts at roughly the same time each day then sit quietly or lie on your side and time how long it takes to feel 10 distinct movements kicks punches and whole body movements all count. Count each of your baby s movements kicks jabs pokes and. It is also a good time for your partner and older children to share in this experience with you and bond with the baby. Early evening after dinner is a good time because the fetus is usually more active then.

Kick counting is really simple and it s just what it sounds like. Once you re ready to start doing kick counts you ll be timing how long it takes to feel 10 movements. However fetal kick counts do not include hiccups. This will help you observe patterns and discover how long it normally takes for your baby to move 10 times.

To get started sit with your feet up or lie on your side. Get a sheet of paper and pen to indicate the movements.