The Importance of Counting Kicks

Kicking is how your baby tells you it’s “OK”. Uncomfortable at times for you but reassuring. It means your baby is active and growing.

In a survey conducted among stillbirth mothers we discovered 67% weren’t ever told by their OB about the importance of monitoring kick counts. If you’ve not been told, or if it’s not been properly explained, raise the question at your next checkup. It’s your body and your baby so don’t ever hesitate to voice your concerns. Counting kicks is a simple test to determine your baby’s health that costs you nothing.

You can track your baby’s activity by using a written log of its kick counts. If you detect a change, either a decrease in movement, or an unusual increase in your baby’s level of activity, it may mean your baby is in distress. Should either occur, call your doctor at once. If you can’t reach your doctor, head to the hospital to have your baby checked. A “false alarm”, if it is one, is better than having a stillborn baby.

Before starting your activity log be aware there’s no single “standard” for the number of kicks to expect, but on average you should detect at least 5 definite movements per hour. Babies sleep, and there may be times in the day when you feel little or no movement. That’s why it’s important to be aware of any changes in your baby’s daily pattern. In time you’ll get used to your baby’s particular patterns.

MEASURING KICK COUNTS

Every day at the same time, preferably just after you’ve eaten, take time to be aware of your baby’s movements. You needn’t stop what you are doing, just be aware and count each movement as you detect it. If you haven’t felt at least 4 or 5 movements by the end of an hour, you’ll want to redo the count, this time lying down on your side and focusing on just counting movements. We call them “kicks” but punches, rolls and swooshes count, if it is a definite movement. You will hear that babies slow down as they get closer to full term. Whether that’s true is debatable, but if your baby slows down, the change should not be sudden. A sudden change is trouble.

If, after redoing the kick count, you don’t detect 10 movements within 2 hours its time to call your doctor. From a practical standpoint it’s always easier to be seen and have your baby checked during office hours, but don’t let the time of day stop you. If you detect a decline in movement, call, no matter what the time. We’ve all been taught to be considerate of others but this is a different situation. Doctors, like firemen, have chosen a 24-hour occupation. You’ve chosen to become a mother. As a mother your job is to protect your baby. Pick up the phone and call at once. The next morning could be too late.

 

Chart and procedure provided by The Pregnancy Institute (www.preginst.com)

 

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The National Stillbirth Society
P O Box 10273, Phoenix, AZ 85064,  www.stillnomore.org

The information contained herein is offered for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as, or to be relied upon as, medical advice.

Last Updated 07/20/2006     Design donated by Web-Writer