Kick Counts During Pregnancy. How to do it and Why is Important.

 

Fetal kick counts are a simple, easy and free method you may use at home to keep track of your baby’s health once you reach your third trimester. In this article I’ll give you an easy guide with everything you need to know about baby kick counts during pregnancy, including why they’re crucial, when and how to do them, and when to seek medical attention if necessary. Ready? Let’s begin.

Everything you Need to Know about Kick Counts During Pregnancy.

First and foremost, why is it necessary to keep track of baby kick counts during the third trimester of pregnancy?

Counting the number of kicks that a baby makes in the womb is one approach to monitor the health of the baby before delivery. These counts can assist in locating possible issues and more importantly in reducing the risk of stillbirth. When you become more familiar with baby’s routines and behaviors. You will be better able to detect if something is not right. If your baby is moving noticeably more or less than normal. It is important to let your doctor know so that they can address any potential problems and take appropriate action if your baby is in distress.

What Exactly Are Kick Counts, anyway?

During the third trimester of pregnancy, fetal kick counts are a simple and straightforward method that may be performed at home to measure the baby’s activity and assist in determining the baby’s overall wellbeing. Kick counts quantify the amount of time it takes for the baby to move ten times. Ideally, you should be able to detect ten movements in under two hours. Baby kick counts can be based on pretty much any fetal movement. Such as kicks, flutters, swishes, jabs, or rolls. (It is important to know that hiccups do not count because they are not considered to be a voluntary movement.)

When is the Best Time to Begin Counting Kicks?

It is recommended that you begin after you have entered your third trimester, which is 28 weeks into your pregnancy. Why not earlier in time? It’s probable that between 16 and 22 weeks pregnant, you’ll start to feel the first flutters of movement, although they’ll be very mild and unpredictable at first. Before the infant is 28 weeks old, the baby does not yet have a pattern. At 28 weeks, though, you will notice that your baby’s kicks are getting stronger and more predictable. At that point, you may begin counting kicks on a regular basis.

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How is Kick Counts done.

Timing how long it takes to count 10 fetal movements is the first step in doing a baby kick count test. The number of movements performed is more essential than the intensity of the movements themselves. It takes most women less than half an hour to count up to ten baby kicks. But if it takes you longer than that, don’t worry about it, there is no reason to freak out. You have plenty of time.

• The best time to begin your kick counts is when you are feeling calm and concentrated, is easier that way because it requires some attention from you.
• It is possible to count the number of times your baby kicks in any position; however, the most effective way to do so is to lie down on your left side, as this position improves blood flow, which in turn helps get the baby moving.

How to Track Kick Counts?

• The kick counts are recommended to be done at least once every day during the third trimester.
• Make an effort to do it at around the same time every day and pay attention to the times of day when your baby is likely to be the most active, perhaps morning or night.
• When you are counting your baby’s kicks, it is important to keep track and to take notes of the amount of time between the first and tenth movement. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the most important thing for parents to do is to first understand the unique patterns of their baby and then check for major deviations. There is a variety of possible differences in kick counts. Thus, you should search for significant discrepancies over the duration of three to four days.
• If after two hours you still haven’t counted ten movements, or if there is a notable or long-term delay from the usual, you should call your doctor to make an appointment. Is very likely that everything is fine but is always good to check.

Reasons Why you Might not Feel your Baby Movements that you Should be Aware of.

It is essential to be aware that some normal pregnancy conditions may prevent you from feeling the baby movements properly, those pregnancy conditions include:

• Baby’s position: A baby that is transverse will be lying on their side (nothing will be in the pelvis). Depending on how the baby is positioned, the limbs will cross the tummy in a high, a low, or a straight across position. The baby’s limbs may even be positioned toward the moms back, which would give the impression that the baby is less active.
• Location of the placenta (such as Anterior Placenta): Keep in mind that the feeling of baby movements comes from the movement of baby rubbing against the maternal abdomen. So if the placenta is located anteriorly, therefore, is between baby and the abdomen, this may decrease the feelings of movement that the mother feels.
• Amniotic fluid levels: The more amniotic fluid you have the more the baby is going to move freely because there is more space for the baby to move. Therefore, the amount of fluid you have can affect how active the baby may feel.

All those three may impact your ability to feel baby’s movement and accurately count their kicks. This is something that you should keep in mind, so you don’t get anxious without a reason.  In addition, the baby’s movements shouldn’t slow down as you get closer to the due date. But the sensations you get from them can be different from what you’ve gotten accustomed to. That is typically due to the fact that the baby does not have as much space to align themselves and take a strong kick. Instead, newborns perform more shoulder rolls, and these are also ok to perform kick counts.

What Should Be Done When the Kick Count Is Too Low?

If fetal movement seems to be decreased or if there are a relatively few kicks throughout that two-hour timeframe, it is important to make an effort to stimulate baby’s activity. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests the following strategies for increasing your kick count:

• As was discussed before, lying on your left side might aid enhance the flow of blood throughout your body.
• Consuming a meal, or something sweet that can stimulate the baby to move.
• Consuming something cold (like iced water or a glass of milk).
• Try exercising.
• Between the hours of 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., you will be doing kick counts (just as baby moves when blood sugar spikes, they also move due to declining blood sugar levels).

These suggestions are likely to be helpful in rousing the baby and getting them to move around a little bit. After two hours, you should contact your doctor if the baby’s kick count is still not high enough. It is important to note that some physicians want to be alerted if the baby’s kick counts do not reach 10 within an hour (instead of two), so discuss the suggested approach for your pregnancy with your healthcare practitioner.

If your physician recommends coming to the office to be checked out, more likely you’ll be scanned with an ultrasound. Click on the following link to know more about that test. Everything You Want to Know About the Biophysical Profile.

 

Other posts you might want to check:

All About Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy.

Routine Prenatal Screening and Tests During Pregnancy.

25 Most Common Pregnancy Questions Answered.

Final thoughts about Kick Counts During Pregnancy.

Keeping track of the baby’s activity by counting fetal kicks is a simple method to check in and make sure everything is good with the baby. They are able to assist in the identification of possible difficulties and assist in the prevention of stillbirth. Because of this, it is extremely vital to pay close attention to the many changes that occur throughout the third trimester of pregnancy. I hope I was able to help someone with this article. Feel free to share your thoughts below.

Zadi, xo

Disclaimer: The medical information on this post is for educational and entertainment use only. Under no circumstances, this information is to replace your doctor’s advice or to treat any disease. For proper care, always visit your doctor.