Kick Counts

Counting your baby’s kicks is one way you and your Provider can tell that your baby is healthy.  Most pregnant patients – especially in a first pregnancy – feel their baby move for the first time between 16-22 weeks of pregnancy.  At this stage of pregnancy, the movement may feel like flutters instead of kicks.  You may feel your baby move more at certain times of day.  When you are active, you may notice less fluttering or kicking than when you are resting.  At your OB visits, your Provider will ask if the baby has been moving and active.  

Starting around 28 weeks of pregnancy (last trimester), your Provider may ask you to count the number of times you feel your baby move.  

• How do you count your baby’s kicks?
  • A common method of checking your baby’s movement is to count the number of kicks or moves you feel in 1 hour.  If you have at least 4 kicks in one hour, you can stop counting.  
  • If you are having trouble feeling your baby move, pick your baby’s most active time of day to count and drink a large glass of water.  This may be from anytime morning to evening.  
• When should you call for help?  
  • If you notice that your baby has stopped moving or is moving much less than usual, contact your Provider’s office immediately.