You are probably worried about what’s going on with your baby because there’s no way to tell unless you see your doctor. But by the time you are in your third trimester, there is an easy technique that you can use at home - Fetal Kick Counts.
Feeling your baby’s kicks and jabs and wriggles is one of the most exciting things in your pregnancy! It is almost as if it’s your baby’s way of constantly reminding you to be excited and surprised about what’s going on in your tummy!
Kick counts are important because it gives you an insight into your baby’s pattern and helps you understand if something is off. Keeping your doctor informed of your babies movements may help her address any problems if the baby is in distress. Usually earlier than 28 weeks, your baby doesn’t have a pattern, so any movement is good. Once you hit your third trimester, your baby’s kicks become stronger and more predictable - that’s when you can start on your kick counts.
When - Sometime in the morning when the baby’s kicks are less frequent because you are more active and then sometime in the evening when you are relaxing is when the kicks can be more frequent and noticeable. Its better felt when you are hungry and when you have just eaten.
How - Make a note of the time and count upto 10 kicks and record the time again. This includes any kicks, wriggles, swishes or flutters. 10 kicks in 10 hours - Cardiff count of 10!
Note - 3 kicks in 1 hour, post major meals is very reassuring.
What if you don’t feel 10 movements - Eat a snack or drink a juice and lie down then count for next 1 hour. If you still do not feel at least 3 movements then, contact your doctor. This may not necessarily mean something is wrong but it’s always a good idea to get it checked.
Remember - As you move closer to your due date, regular checking of fetal movements becomes more important. If you notice a sudden decrease in the movements, contact your doctor.
Even if your pregnancy is not a high-risk one, it is important that you count your baby’s movements regularly. In fact, it could save your baby’s life! Counting kicks is an important way to help prevent stillbirth because monitoring can help identify any problem.
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Fetal kick counts are an evident sign of a healthy baby, as they help expectant mothers monitor the well-being of the baby, ensuring early detection of potential problems. A noticeable change in fetal kick count can be a sign of a potential danger to the fetus, which facilitates prompt medical intervention.
Too many baby kicks are not necessarily bad, but it is a typical sign of a healthy baby. You may notice too many baby kicks when your baby is awake or when the baby responds to external stimuli, and during the third trimester, when your baby’s movement is vigorous, which is usually normal. However, a significant change in the baby’s movement can be a sign of a potential issue.
You must worry about fetal kicks only if there is a significant change in movement patterns, such as fewer than 10 kicks in 2 hours, or if kicks become more forceful and frequent or if you cannot feel any fetal movement for a long period of time. It is advised to consult a doctor for evaluation and guidance to ensure the well-being of the fetus.
You may know if your baby is in distress in the womb with key signs including decreased fetal movement, significant changes in kick patterns, severe abdominal pain, discharge of meconium-stained amniotic fluid and vaginal bleeding. Other evident symptoms of fetal distress are abnormal weight gain of the mother, high or low heart rate and low amniotic fluid levels.
