Fetal Kick Counts

Your Baby's Daily Activity Diary

Baby Kick Counts 

Although kick counts are not a “test,” your awareness of your baby's activity pattern is a good way to monitor the health and well-being of your baby after 26 weeks. It is best to do a kick count at approximately the same time each day. You will begin to notice times when your baby is active and other times when your baby is sleeping.

To check for baby movements, do the following:

• Lie down on your left side.
• Place your hand on your abdomen.
• Record the number of movements you feel in an hour's time period.

Notify your healthcare provider if:

• You don't feel your baby move at least 4 times in an hour.
• Your baby's total movements for the day are less than 12. You sense a change in the type or character of your baby's movements.

Helpful Hints

• Babies are usually more active after meals.
• Babies sleep on an average of 20-40 minutes at a time. Waiting for the baby to wake up will be important.
• Lay down in a quiet, undisturbed area.
• It is normal for some women to easily identify baby movements, while other women have to concentrate harder and monitor themselves more carefully.
• Hiccups do not count as movements.

Remember, it is very important for babies to move every day, several times each day. If at any time the baby moves less than it should or differently than before, notify your healthcare provider immediately.

Important Warning Signs

Any of the following may be a warning that you need medical help. Call your healthcare provider any time during your pregnancy if you experience any of the following:

• A headache that does not go away
• Severe abdominal pain, cramps or backache
• Severe nausea/vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
• Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Any vaginal bleeding
• Gush or flow of watery fluid from your vagina
• Regular low cramping sensations, with or without intermittent tightening of your abdomen
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Blurred vision, spots before your eyes or other visual changes
• Marked swelling in your face, feet or hands
• Sudden weight gain within a few days

Do not hesitate to call your healthcare provider.

If you would like, please copy the diary below to use at home. You can also download a copy of our Fetal Counts Brochure for your use.

 

Fetal Movement Diary

Dates:_________ To:__________
Times of day	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Daily Total