Count the Kicks is a simple way to monitor your baby’s well-being. Expectant parents should begin counting daily at the start of the third trimester.
Start a timer and record the time it takes for you to feel 10 movements.
Pick a time when baby is active to start counting, preferably the same time every day.
After each day's counting session, compare that time with your past sessions.
Go to the hospital right away if you notice a change in your baby's movement patterns.
Learn how to Count the Kicks and what to do if you notice a change in your baby’s normal movement pattern.
Use our free pregnancy app daily in the third trimester! It helps you record how long it takes your baby to get to 10 movements, tracks changes over time, and reminds you to count every day.
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Learn how to count your baby’s movements using our paper charts! It’s a great option if you don’t have access to strong internet, broadband or a smartphone and can’t access our free app.
Count the Kicks is a simple way to monitor your baby’s well-being. Expectant parents should begin counting every day in the third trimester.
Want to learn more about Count the Kicks? Visit our video page for more resources, education and baby save stories.
There are a lot of misconceptions about a baby’s movement in pregnancy. Help us stop the spread of dangerous myths by making sure all expectant parents know the importance of getting to know their baby’s normal movement patterns in the third trimester.
Even active babies can experience distress, sometimes quickly and without other warning signs. Monitoring your baby’s movement every day takes the guesswork out of knowing if a normally active baby has slowed down.
Every baby and every pregnancy are different. Research has moved away from the idea that expectant parents should expect a certain number of movements in a specific period of time. Instead, current research indicates expectant parents should work to understand the normal amount of time each day it takes their baby to get to 10 movements each day.
Research has moved away from the idea that sugary drinks and the like are a good way to get baby to move. Kick counts are best monitored WITHOUT interventions like juice, candy, etc. If baby isn’t moving like normal, parents should speak up to their provider right away.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant for diagnosis or treatment. Use of this information should be done in accordance with your healthcare provider.
