Meet Felicity

• Baby Saves

• 08.06.25

“My name is Liz, and I heard about Count the Kicks from an online video after we experienced the stillbirth of our fourth daughter, Saoirse, in August of 2023 despite an uncomplicated pregnancy. I mentioned at a couple of appointments that I wasn’t feeling her move very much, but was told that because she was transverse and facing my spine that I shouldn’t expect to feel much movement. At that point I did not know how to advocate for myself. 

I had an at-home Doppler and checked her heart rate often to give myself a little piece of mind.* Her heart rate was 135 just 24 hours before we found out she was no longer with us. Placental pathology revealed a large blood clot was the medical cause of Saoirse’s death.

When we found out we were pregnant again in July of 2024, this time living in Alaska, my MFM and OB-GYN both recommended watching for any decreases in fetal movement and said that using a Doppler was not enough.* 

To monitor movement, my doctor recommended the Count the Kicks app. It was simple to use and helped me clearly understand my daughter’s normal activity patterns, which brought me a sense of comfort. I found that counting in the late afternoons, after my workday, worked best for me and my baby. The app’s daily reminder feature was especially helpful in keeping me consistent. What I appreciated most was the ability to show my healthcare team actual data — pointing to a graph in the app felt far more empowering and effective than trying to describe what I was experiencing.  

We were under heavy surveillance the entire pregnancy, and it was relatively smooth until about 30 weeks. I started not feeling very well but chalked it up to third trimester woes — this was my fifth baby after all! We had one questionable non-stress test (NST) that had me monitored overnight at 31 weeks, but we went home with a clean bill of health. Growth was great and baby girl was showing us all the right things! 

On the morning of Jan. 18, 2025, I felt absolutely terrible, but with no discernible symptoms. I had two kick count sessions that the app flagged as being out of my normal range; I could usually get all ten movements in 30 minutes, but these were close to an hour. 

My husband elected that we should call the doctor who had us go into triage. My blood pressure was slightly elevated, and I had a very mild headache — more annoying than anything. While we were waiting for my labs to come back, our daughter’s heart had an episode of a rate in the 50s. 

We were repositioned and she returned to normal, but had a second episode as the doctor was coming in to share with us that my lab work was indicative of the onset of HELLP Syndrome, although I had no traditional symptoms. I had no idea I was so sick! 

We were informed that delivery was the best course of action for both of us and on Jan. 19, 2025 at 32 weeks and 4 days, we welcomed Felicity via cesarean section at 4 pounds, 5 ounces. Placental pathology found many small clots and bleeding in my placenta at delivery. After 38 days in the NICU we brought home a healthy 6 pound rainbow baby to complete our family. 

The Count the Kicks app is a valuable tool to communicate with providers and for them to have a good understanding of what’s going on. I’m positive that having that information on deck helped us get where we needed to go and have a good outcome.” -Liz A., Felicity’s mom

Editor’s Note: A change in a baby’s movement may indicate potential problems before actual changes in the heart rate are detected. Expectant parents should only use a Doppler device under the guidance of a healthcare provider.