Feeling Your Baby Move: How to Count the Kicks
Most people start feeling their baby move between 16-20 weeks. Movements will get stronger as pregnancy continues. A baby that moves a lot is a healthy baby! You should feel your baby moving throughout the day, even when they are bigger, and even when you are in labor!
What Can I Do?
Starting in the third trimester (28 weeks or 26 weeks if you are considered high risk), you should be tracking your baby’s movements (fetal movement) every day, preferably around the same time each day.
Use an app to help. The free Count the Kicks app is available in over 20 languages and is a great tool to start tracking your baby’s movement. You can also use the Count the Kicks web counter or a paper kick counting charts if you prefer that method.
You know your baby best. If you are worried, call your provider right away.
How to Count Baby’s Kicks
- Pick a time when your baby is normally active. Try to use the same time every day.
- Lay down on your side and try to avoid distractions so you are able to focus on your baby’s movements.
- Record the time you start counting your baby’s movements (count all kicks, flutters, and rolls. Not hiccups).
- Count to 10 movements and pay attention to the strength of your baby's movements while counting.
- Record the time you stop counting.
Time how long it takes your baby to get to 10 movements every day in the third trimester. This will help you get to know the normal amount of time it takes for your baby to get to 10 movements each day. Your baby will start to show you a pattern.
If you notice a change in how long it takes your baby to reach 10 movements or in strength of movements please call your provider or Labor & Delivery right away at 617.414.2000.
Learn more about counting kicks below
What Will Happen if I Go to the Hospital?
If your baby is not moving regularly and you go to the hospital:
- We will give you a snack and something to drink.
- We will put monitors on your belly to listen to the listen to the baby’s heartbeat for at least 20 minutes. This is called a non-stress test.
- We will usually do an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid (water) around the baby
- Sometimes we recommend putting an IV in your arm. An IV is a small tube placed in your arm that gives you fluids to keep you hydrated.
Our goal is to make sure that you and your baby are healthy.
- If all your tests are normal and you feel baby moving, you may be able to go home.
- Sometimes we may recommend that you stay at the hospital to start labor, especially if you are already 39 weeks.
Boston Medical Center is proud to be a Count the Kicks Champions Partner. Talk with your provider about Count the Kicks and ask for a brochure to learn more about movement monitoring during your pregnancy.
Medical Care
