Kick-counting in the third trimester
Learning to be in tune with your body and baby is a great way to prepare for labor and postpartum!
Trigger warning for mention of stillbirth, infant death, and racial disparities in stillbirth and infant death
If you are pregnant or have been pregnant, you may likely have encountered the suggestion to count the movements you feel from your baby as a one measure of her health. The practice is explained largely by its name: you count the movements your baby is making in your uterus (kicks and rolls). Most women take one or both of two approaches: count how many times you feel your baby move within a set time period, usually one or two hours, or measure how long it takes for you to feel 10 fetal movements.
Some important things to consider when counting your baby’s movements:
Every baby is different– the idea is to identify your baby’s particular patterns and monitor for any deviation from those patterns. If you notice deviation from your baby’s usual patterns, call your doctor or midwife, because they may want to evaluate you to make sure you and your baby are okay.
It is particularly useful to count your baby’s movements daily during the third trimester of pregnancy (week 28-birth), because this is when they will become more identifiable, regular, and strong– for many women, it is a good idea to start counting kicks at week 28, but consult your ob-gyn about when they recommend you to start, particularly if your pregnancy is high-risk.
Babies tend to be more active at certain times of the day than others– you will get a sense for when your baby tends to be most active, and this is the best time to count kicks. Many women find that their baby is most active in the evening, just as they are getting ready to rest for the night, or whenever they eat.
Your position matters when counting kicks– always get comfortable in a left side-lying position, or relaxing with your feet propped up, when counting your kicks for the day (or night). Make sure you aren't distracted and can focus on counting.
Talk to your doctor or midwife about what is normal– again, every baby is different, and there is a range of normal fetal movement patterns. Talk to your doctor or midwife about this in your second trimester to prepare you for what to look for.
There are different methods for kick counting– there are apps available on your smartphone, like “Count the Kicks!”, and there’s old-fashioned pen and paper. Do what works best for you!
Counting your baby’s movements shouldn’t be a source of anxiety or stress, and it can actually help give you peace of mind. If you are feeling very worried or anxious about your baby’s well-being, talk to your healthcare provider, your doula, and your loved ones for assessment, reassurance, support, and resources.
Although counting kicks is recommended largely as a mechanism of detection of fetal distress, it can also be a powerful and fun bonding activity for you, your baby, and your partner (if there is one), and it can help you feel more connected as a family. It can also be a powerful mindfulness tool and can promote self-awareness and cultivate intuition that you’ll want to be able to draw upon during birth, as it reminds you to slow down, rest, bring awareness to what you’re feeling, and trust yourself.
Check out our post on Instagram for some quick tips on counting fetal movements in the third trimester!