Fetal Movements and Kick Counting
“ I often find myself holding my belly as I lay down, hoping to feel the movement with my hand. If you have ever carried or felt fetal movements there is a sensational difference between feeling a movement inside of you and what you can feel externally by hand.
Both feelings are so cool and by far one my my favorite parts of being pregnant. “ - Ashley B
Coming into the second trimester of this pregnancy I found myself starting to wonder when I was going to finally be able to feel some movement. As a mom of 4 angel babies the feeling of movement is more then just a relief. Feeling movement is being able to sleep just a little better knowing that hand or foot just jabbed you. Its being able to fully exhale a very deep breath knowing that development is progressing and your one moment, hour, day and week closer to holding your bundle of joy (or in my case two!)
When one may feel fetal movement depend on many factors.
Gestational Age
Placenta placement
First or subsequent - First time gestational carriers have a harder time distinguishing early movement.
Generally most feel movement between week 16-25. Once you are aware of the movement is is a great habit to mentally note what times of day baby(s) are active. Once you reach about 28 weeks is it recommended to spend some time each day; around the same time each day to count kicks until you feel 10 movements. Being aware of “your” fetal movement is a great way to interact with your expecting little one as well as noting when something may be wrong. Make sure to alert your provider if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Count the Kicks is a stillbirth prevention organization that provides educational resources to healthcare providers and expectant parents. Count the Kicks has showed a 30% decrease in stillbirth by educating expecting gestational carriers how to track daily fetal movements in the third trimester. Count the Kicks also notices racial disparities and provided education to expecting gestational carriers of color. Understanding that 1 in 96 pregnancy and nearly 7,000 babies of colored women are lost each year due to stillborn vs its white counterparts.
Below are links to evidence based information and free print-outs provided by Count the Kicks.
Parents
Download the Count the Kicks App on Apple and Android
Download the Free Kick Counting Charts, available in 5 languages.
Doulas, Childbirth Educators, Health Care providers…
Order materials to share with your clients/patients in both English and Spanish.
