| Kick counts during pregnancy | 340.000000000000 | Kick counts during pregnancy | Kick counts during pregnancy | K | English | Pregnancy | Adult (19+) | Body | NA | NA | Prenatal
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2009-09-11T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.90000000000000 | 66.1000000000000 | 522.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>This page describes the importance of counting a baby's movements during pregnancy.</p> | <p>By the sixth month of pregnancy, you will be very aware of your baby's movements, and there may be patterns of vigorous activity followed by quiet times. Around this time, you should start monitoring your baby's kick counts, which is how often your baby kicks, swishes, rolls, and jabs in a given amount of time. </p>
<p>Kick counts are recommended for high risk pregnancies but all pregnant women may benefit from counting their baby's movements. Kick counts are done every day, starting in the 28th week or sixth month of pregnancy. Being attentive to your baby's movements will help you notice any significant changes, identify potential problems, and prevent stillbirth. </p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul><li>Kick counts are done every day and at the same time each day, starting in the 28 th week or sixth month of pregnancy.</li>
<li>Ideally, you should feel at least 10 movements in two hours.</li>
<li>Call your health-care provider if you are concerned about the number of kicks you feel.</li></ul> | <h2>When to do kick counts</h2>
<p>Choose the same time each day to do kick counts. This should be a time of the day when your baby is very active. You may find that your baby is more active: </p>
<ul>
<li>after you have exercised </li>
<li>after you have eaten </li>
<li>after you have drank something cold </li>
<li>
sometimes, between the hours of 9 pm and 1 pm, when your blood sugar is decreasing </li></ul>
<h2>How to do kick counts</h2>
<p>Begin by finding a comfortable position, perhaps sitting with a good back rest, or lying on your side. Lying on your left side allows for good circulation, which could lead to your baby becoming more active. </p>
<p>Record your start time in a notebook. Make a checkmark or "X" for each time your baby kicks, swishes, rolls, or jabs. After recording 10 such movements, write down the time again. Ideally, you should feel at least 10 movements in two hours. Most likely, you will feel 10 movements in a shorter time period. Alternately, you should feel at least three movements in a half hour period. Look out for any significant changes in your baby's movement pattern over a few days. Continue to record kick counts daily for the rest of your pregnancy. </p>
<h2>When to call your health-care provider</h2>
<p>If you do not feel 10 movements within a two-hour time period, or three movements in a half hour period, wait a few hours and try again. If you still do not feel 10 movements in two hours or three movements in a half hour period, call your health-care provider.</p>
<p>Also, if you notice a significant change from your baby's kick count pattern over three to four days, call your health-care provider. An example of a significant change is as follows: </p>
<ul>
<li>Monday 10:00 am XXXXXXXXXX 10:45 am, total 45 minutes </li>
<li>Tuesday 10:00 am XXXXXXXXXX 11:00 am, total 1 hour </li>
<li>Wednesday 10:00 am XXXXXXXXXX 11:10 am, total 1 hour 10 minutes </li>
<li>Thursday 10:00 am XXXXXXXXXX 12:30 pm, total 2 hours 30 minutes </li></ul>
<p>You know your body best. If you feel something is wrong, call your health-care provider.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/kick_counts_pregnancy.jpg | | | | | | | Kick counts during pregnancy | | False | | | | | | | | |
