Do I really need to count kicks?

curlycasey

Because my baby seems to constantly be moving. I always know he's there. Is it really necessary to count kicks, rolls, etc until my due date? Obviously, I think I would be able to tell if the moving stops that something might be wrong...

mollymurphy

I do just to reassure myself, but my doctor has never felt that it's necessary.

emlady

I was told I only had to count if I hadn't felt anything for awhile.

donnycornelius

I was being really good about counting starting at 28 weeks, but I've stopped.   The baby is moving so much, it would really be noticeable if he wasn't moving for a long period of time.  

 

APrice4UT

I really only do them once he's active to make sure the numbers are right on.  I've been lucky that he hasn't really given me a huge scare yet...I think sometimes I get too used to the movement to notice it.

chels0120

My dr only suggested I do it if I feel like there is a decrease in movement. My LO squirms and kicks all day so she isn't concerned with me counting.

katypresson

My doctor hasn't said anything about counting kicks/movements yet...so I'm not doing it until told otherwise.

mrsg052904

I think you'll get many different responses on here.  I was going to count kicks, had the bump printouts and everything!  I was fully prepared.  Then, we found a new apartment, signed a lease, and moved within a week (having NOTHING packed).  During that week, I was in the hospital for three days with a kidney stone.  Life took a crazy turn and my focus shifted.  I asked my doctor about it and he said no need.  He asked me a few questions (do you feel your baby move, how often, etc).  However, I do let my doctor know if there is any fluctuation in movement.  A reduction in movement can be nothing, or can be very serious.  When in doubt, call your doctor. 

LGMHRS

I asked my doctor about it and she said I only needed to do them if I felt decreased movement.  She also told me not to be surprised if I dont feel her move all time since she now has sleep patterns.

peachypear

My doctor has never mentioned it. I pay attention as to whether movement seems normal - but I don't count or anything. I've heard that "counting" commonly means verifying they move ten times in two hours, during their most active time of the day. ...yeah, LO definitely does that, so I don't feel the need to keep records or anything.

schmoodle

My doctor said they're not necessary as long as I'm noticing regular patterns of movement from day to day, but if I'm at a point where I can't remember the last time I felt movement, to eat/drink something, lay down, and count then. They look for 5 in an hour.

Mrs.C042807

I was told to count only if I thought I had decreased movement.  That said, I do it sometimes if I'm just lying and watching TV anyway.

Califragilistic

Im the same as you. I know when something is up even without counting. Shes so active that if she does several hours (while Im at rest) without movin and groovin I know its not normal. Perhaps for high riskers or moms with GD its prob helpful to know exactly what should be going on but I know in general without counting whats normal and not. (ps. ive tried counting...pregnancy brain doesnt allow me to remember what number im up to and i always forget)

kklickka

I haven't done kick "counts" at all; I just try to be aware of his waking/sleeping patterns and notice if there is a change in his movement.  As long as you can feel LO moving regularly, I think you're fine.

Mrs_mam

My Dr. said you only need to do it if you don't feel any movement for a day or if there is a drastic change in the amount of movement you feel. If I had to count all day I wouldn't be able to do anything else!

Mary0913

My doctor said to not worry about counting them unless I noticed a drastic drop in movement.

SoonerMagicMama

My MW never mentioned kick counts.  My only instruction in this regard is to call if I have felt no movement for 8 hours.  That's never happened.

liongish119

My midwife said that I should make sure DD is moving at least 10 times an hour twice a day, but to make sure that no more than 6 hours goes by without at least one movement.

DD is so active that if it was actually this little I would be totally freaked out- so I monitor her for what I know by now is normal- if she deviated much from that I would call.

tri-reader

I don't really do them and I didn't with my first pg. Ditto your situation, baby is always moving.  My dr didn't mind.

lailak42

My doctor has never told me to do them

kimsy

My doctor told me that I only needed to do a dedicated, official kick count if I hadn't felt her move much that day by the late afternoon/early evening. I think she gave me that time frame because I told her that my baby usually gets moving around noon but that most of her movement is late afternoon.