Kick Counts (for decreased fetal movement)
There are times that you don’t or can’t remember how much or when the last time that your baby kicked or moved. Kick counts are a way to measure your baby’s activity level in the privacy of your own home.
- Eat a good, healthy meal or snack
- Wait 30 minutes
- Find a place where you can be comfortable and uninterrupted for one hour. Be sure you have emptied your bladder before getting comfortable.
- Make sure there is nothing to distract you. Turn off the television and send the children to another room if possible. Relax and concentrate on your baby.
- Count the number of times that the baby kicks or moves for an hour. There should be 6-10 movements in that hour. If you get 6-10 movements in the first few minutes you can stop counting and be reassured that your baby is moving appropriately.
- You can keep track of the movements by writing them down on the back of this paper. For example: 1111 1= 6 movements or kicks.
- After an hour, if you feel less that 6-10 movements or kicks, repeat starting at the number 5.
If you do not feel any kicks or movements from your baby in the first hour….call the office immediately.
If after the second hour, the appropriate number of movement or kicks as described above are not felt…call the office immediately.