Are You Counting Your Kicks? The Benefits of Monitoring Fetal Movement During Pregnancy

Trigger warning: pregnancy loss

Sadly, 1 in 177 pregnancies ends in stillbirth, with the risk being higher for women of color, women over the age of 40, and women who smoke. 

However, research shows at least 1 in 4 stillbirths can be prevented, and South Shore Health is joining this fight by endorsing Count The Kicks. 

What is Count the Kicks?

Count the Kicks is an evidence based, international stillbirth prevention program that helps expectant parents get to know their baby’s normal movement patterns starting in the third trimester of pregnancy (or earlier for multiples or if high risk). 

Why is it important to count your baby’s movements?

Research shows a change in a baby’s movement in the third trimester is sometimes the earliest or only sign of distress. 

By counting your baby’s movements every day, you become familiar with your baby’s movement patterns so that you will be alerted earlier to potential warning signs.

How do I get to know my baby’s movement patterns?

Start by downloading the free Count the Kicks app (available for iOS and Android) or by using a paper movement monitoring chart. 

Begin counting in the third trimester, which is at 28 weeks (or 26 weeks if you are high-risk or pregnant with multiples).

For consistent results, count your baby’s movements every day – preferably at the same time. 

Try to pick a time when your baby is usually active. It should become part of your routine, like brushing your teeth.

When you’re ready to start counting, follow the steps below:

1. To get started, sit with your feet up or lie on your side. Count each of your baby’s movements by tapping the foot on the app until you reach ten movements. Count kicks, jabs, pokes, rolls, or swishes – but not hiccups, as those are involuntary. The app will time how long it takes your baby to get to ten movements.
2. After your baby reaches ten movements, rate the strength of your baby’s movements, with one being fluttery and five being fierce.
3. After a few days, you will begin to see an average length of time it takes your baby to get to ten movements.
4. Call your provider right away if you notice a change in the strength of your baby’s movements or in how long it takes your baby to get to ten movements. If you can’t reach your provider, go to the nearest hospital.

Addressing common fetal movement myths

Let’s debunk some common myths surrounding your baby’s movement prior to birth:

• Babies do not run out of room, slow down, or stop moving toward the end of pregnancy. The type of movement may change, but the time it takes to get to ten movements during the baby’s active time should not increase.
• Using an at-home Doppler is not a reliable way to ensure your baby’s well-being. Changes in the baby’s movement can occur before changes in the baby’s heart rate occur. In addition, an obstetrician, midwife, or labor and delivery nurse is needed to detect changes in your baby’s heart rate pattern.
• Having an anterior placenta, meaning the placenta is at the front of your belly, does not mean you should not be able to feel your baby move. Sometimes, an anterior placenta can make it harder to feel your baby’s movements, but you should still be able to feel your baby move.
• Do not rely on cold/sugary drinks or snacks to make your baby move.
• You should not wait two hours to get ten kicks.
• Babies do not stop moving in labor. Do not delay your arrival to the hospital if you do not feel your baby moving during labor.
• Even if your pregnancy is low risk, you still need to pay attention to your baby’s movement every day.
• Babies in the womb only sleep for short periods of time, so decreased movement could be a sign of distress, not sleep.

Overall, your baby should continue to move regularly throughout your pregnancy. Using Count the Kicks will help you connect with your baby and keep them safe.

You’re the expert on your baby

Doctors and nurses are incredible, but you are the one who knows your baby’s patterns. Trust that.

If something feels different, don’t wait. 

Count the Kicks isn’t just a campaign—it’s a tool for empowerment.

“Tracking fetal movement is a non-invasive way for expectant parents to monitor their baby’s health in the third trimester of pregnancy. As we saw in our Norway research and with Count the Kicks in Iowa, babies can be saved when expectant parents are educated on getting to know their baby’s normal movement pattern starting at 28 weeks and to speak up if they notice a change. Babies have literally been saved with this proven method.”

-Dr. Ruth Fretts, Harvard Medical School, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

This post was authored by several clinicians from South Shore Health’s Maternity Services Team.

Sources

• Home - Count the Kicks
• MythBusters: Kick Counting in Pregnancy - Healthy Birth Day, Inc.