What are fetal movement counts?
Fetal movement counts is the number of times that you feel your baby move during a certain amount of time. This may also be called a fetal kick count. A fetal movement count is recommended for every pregnant woman.
You may be asked to start counting fetal movements as early as week 28 of your pregnancy.
Pay attention to when your baby is most active. You may notice your baby’s sleep and wake cycles. You may also notice things that make your baby move more. You should do a fetal movement count:
- When your baby is normally most active.
- At the same time each day.
A good time to count movements is while you are resting, after having something to eat and drink.
How do I count fetal movements?
- Find a quiet, comfortable area. Sit, or lie down on your side.
- Write down the date, the start time and stop time, and the number of movements that you felt between those two times. Take this information with you to your health care visits.
- For 2 hours, count kicks, flutters, swishes, rolls, and jabs. You should feel at least 10 movements during 2 hours.
- You may stop counting after you have felt 10 movements.
- If you do not feel 10 movements in 2 hours, have something to eat and drink. Then, keep resting and counting for 1 hour. If you feel at least 4 movements during that hour, you may stop counting.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You feel fewer than 4 movements in 2 hours.
- Your baby is not moving like he or she usually does.
Date: ____________ Start time: ____________ Stop time: ____________ Movements: ____________
