kick counts help

KatelynEA90

Does anyone else have to make sure they feel a kick every hour? And then also the active time with 10 kicks in an hour?

 

Why do you have to do kick counts? I always thought you only had to do them if you had GD or something?

I don't have any complications but the PA told me if I don't feel a kick every hour, I have to go to the ER. This baby isn't very active, she has her active moments but she spends most of the day 'sleeping'. I pretty much spend every other hour sitting down waiting for her to kick or poking and prodding her until she kicks.  

KateLouise

A change or slow down in your baby's movements can suggest a problem or that the baby is in distress for one reason or another.

There can be issues late in pregnancy even in completely healthy and uncomplicated pregnancies.

It does seem however, that everyone's midwife/OB tells them slightly different "rules" as to how often you should feel LO kick, and really it's easy simply to not notice LO's movements when you're busy.

One thing that does get said over and over though, is that if you are worried because you haven't felt LO move in a while then drink a glass of juice or icy water, and lie down on your side. My midwife also told me to put my hands on my belly because sometimes you feel it on the outside but not the inside. And you should feel 3 or 4 kicks within half an hour.

 

PhysChic7685

You know your LO better than your doctor does (yes, they're the experts, but they can occasionally give silly advice).  If you know your LO tends to go for long periods without moving (like mine) and be active other periods, just make sure you still have those active periods.  If you're worried at any point, go ahead and poke, but I wouldn't worry about doing it all the time.

aclendenning

I just went in yesterday because i wasnt feeling baby move much - go figure the second they hooked me up to the non-stress test he started going crazy.  But the doctor told me when it seems you havent felt him/her move for a while drink a glass of juice or water and lay on your left side.  He said babies typically sleep for 30-40 mins at a time so within an hour you should feel some type of movement.  He said be calm and put your hands on your belly and concentrate because alot of times you will not feel it on the inside but you will be able to from the outside.  He said you can also try getting up and walking around for a few minutes within that hour than laying back down but to always lay on the left side and not back or right side when you are counting kicks.  Good Luck i know how stressful not feeling the little one is.

firstmom2b

I've heard mostly it's 10 kicks in a 2-hour chunk, I think that accounts for the irregular pattern movement can take but then still reveals if the baby is too inactive. : ) Hope that helps.

My doctor said as long as they have a period during the day where they're real active, (or are just active throughout the day instead), not to worry... my LO has days in a row where he's super chill, followed up days where he's super active, I'm pretty used to that at that point!