Fetal Kick Counts

A. When you can expect to feel your baby move

one of the most exciting moments in pregnancy is feeling your little one move for the first time, which would feel like butterflies or gas bubbles at first, these little movements help reassure you that little one is growing and developing and can also help you feel closer to your little bundle.

you should feel your little ones first movements called "quickening" between week 16 and week 25 of your pregnancy, if it's your first then you may not feel little one till closer to the 25 week mark, if it is a subsequent pregnancy then you will feel little one as early as 13 weeks, your also more likely to feel little one move when you are in a quiet position, either sitting or laying down.

B. What is kick counting

kick counting is a way to check the health of a woman's unborn little one, and it is done by counting the number of kicks or movements you feel from your little one in utero for a set time, for eg 2 hours is a good time frame.

every little one will have times it is more or less active but it is a good idea to be aware of any changes in your little ones usual activity level, especially in the third trimester, if your think your little one might be moving less you can do a kick count at any time, if your have a pregnancy with risk factors as well, you should try and do a count every day starting around the 26-32 week mark, the best time to do a count for many is usually in the evening when little ones tend to be most active. you may be able to feel the movements better if your lying down, to do a count you count your little ones movements for 2 hours and should feel at least 6 movements like kicks, flutters or rolling movements.

C. When to begin

Every little one will have times when it's more or less active. It is a good idea to be aware of any changes in your little one's usual activity level, especially in the third trimester. If you think your little one might be moving less, you can do a kick count at any time. If you have a pregnancy with risk factors like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, etc, you should do a kick count every day, starting at about 26-32 weeks. The best time for counting is often in the evening, when little ones tend to be most active. You might be able to feel the movements better if you lie down. To do a kick count, count the little one’s movements for 2 hours. If you don’t feel 6 movements like kicks, flutters, or rolling movements in 2 hours, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible. The health status of both you and the little one will be evaluated. little one’s movement patterns vary, but tend to be consistent for any one little one, in any one pregnancy. If you’re counting movements, try to do it at the same time each day.

D. What it means

if your feeling at least 6 movements or more in a 2 hour window, then you know your little one is healthy, if there is less than 6 then it could mean your little one is just sleeping and you can try again when your little one is more active, if there is a sudden decrease or your feeling less than 6 then it is best to see your medical provider

E. When to contact your provider

if your feeling less than 6 movements in the 2 hours then you should contact your provider as soon as possible, the health of both your little one and you will be evaluated, little ones movements vary but tend to be consistent for any one little one in anyone pregnancy