Counting Kicks

[EssJayPea]

Hi ladies

Just wondered if any of you had any advice for counting LO's kicks?

xxx

 

[lizylou]

I'd love some advice on this too
Mine don't feel so much like kicks now more like baby jiggling around and moving his hands feet around under my skin or sticking his bum out
Is that normal? X

 

[leesey]

As long as you get strong movements, even if it's a kick, a punch, a pokey outy elbow, whatever that makes you aware the bubs is on the move and is going strong is fine. What doesn't count is flutters, tickles, and the weird under-the-skin-swishing-feeling that I can never describe properly. After much debating and hospital-going, I informed my mw that I was NOT going to 'count the kicks' but instead just be aware of the general movement of my baby and decide whether or not I was happy with it. After two weeks of sluggish movements and less than ten kicks/punches each day, I was so stressed out that I couldn't sleep or anything. I eventually just went with my gut and it really saved my sanity.
You know your baby, and you know what's normal, so any sudden change will be noticed. That's what you report. If you do have a sudden change and you're not happy, phone your midwife and say you've had reduced movement, and you'll get monitored. Be specific about your movement, if it's only light flutters, say so, if you've only been aware of movement for a small part of the day and you're worried cos you've gone hours without movement, say so.
Always err on the side of caution xx

 

[FirstBabyEek]

I haven't counted kicks either, I've just got to know his routine. It's difficult to begin with but I think the thing to be more aware of is lengths of inactivity. If you do suddenly realise LO hasnt moved in a while then that is the time to do sone self checks, eat or drink something sugary or have a cold drink or ice lolly. Any change in your baby's movements ought to be discussed with your mw.

Xxx

 

[EssJayPea]

Thanks very much. Excellent advice, as always! Xxx

 

[Lolly85x]

I havnt ever counted kicks either. I know my baby isn't the most active, so I know not to panic straight away. But I always feel my baby move now, and know its routines... I finished up work at 33 weeks and this is when iv really took notice. Also it helps to know what gets your baby moving, if it's having a quiet day I know now that if I eat an orange baby goes mad and squirms about. And if I let myself get too hungry. But I also know that if I do alot of housework or go out a walk baby won't move much as it must be sleeping.
Also the position of my baby is lying inwards to me, with it's back to my stomach, so the kicks and punches are inwards for me x

 

[Jayjay027]

I've done the same. Not counted kicks at all, just been aware of baby's movements and her routine. Thankfully she hasn't startled me by changing or reducing her movements x

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[Lynds77]

I have just been asking my midwife about this. She said from now on I need to make sure I have a least 10 "movements" per day. She said that can be kicks or swooshes or anything. She said it should be more than 10 a day, but babies do have quiet days so as long as I have counted at least 10 I shouldnt worry.

she said if at the end of the day I realise there hasnt been 10, to drink an ice cold can of coke and lie on my side. And if there is still nothing, to give her a call. She said at this stage, we shouldnt be going for more than a day without movement before we seek help.

 

[CathC]

I am 40+3 and advised my midwife yesterday that my wee one not moving as much. She has told me I should be feeling 8-10 movements a day! These are not kicks not just the odd bum nudge, elbow, foot, etc.... Sticking out. This normally happens after a BH which are quite strong now. I also heard baby heart beat yesterday which was fine and offers a massive amount of reassurance. If in doubt contact your midwife! Mine have assured me that I will not be being a nuisance and that this is their job! Good luck xxxx

 

[Amylize]

I havent counted kicks at all throughout my pregnancy i just go wih gut feeling. we know a routine when baby is more active or not. I have had one day where she didnt move or prob moved 4 times all day. i called the midwife who told me to do the normal things, drink cold water or cold fizzy pop, lie down if possible etc. nothing worked! I went into the bath later that night and she wriggled a little! the only reason i didnt go get monitored was because i had a gut feeling she was ok, i listened to her HB on the doppler which put me at ease. The next day she made up for it lmao! x